Lesson Worksheet: Beta Decay Physics
In this worksheet, we will practice how to solve nuclear equations involving beta decay.
Q1:
The nuclear equation shows how carbon decays to nitrogen via beta decay. What is the value of in the equation?
Q2:
The nuclear equation shows how argon decays to potassium via beta decay. What is the value of in the equation?
Q3:
Calcium-40 is created through the beta decay of potassium, as in the following nuclear equation: What are the values of and in the equation?
- A,
- B,
- C,
- D,
- E,
Q4:
When an atomic nucleus emits a beta particle, how much does the atomic number of the remaining nucleus change by?
- A−1
- B+1
- C0
- D−2
- E+2
Q5:
What is the relative charge of a beta particle?
Q6:
When an atomic nucleus emits a beta particle, how much does the mass number of the remaining nucleus change by?
Q7:
| Element | Thallium | Lead | Bismuth | Polonium | Astatine | Radon | Francium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Protons | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 |
Bismuth can undergo beta decay. Which of the elements listed in the table does a bismuth nucleus become when it undergoes beta decay?
- ARadon
- BAstatine
- CPolonium
- DFrancium
- EThallium
Q8:
Which of the following statements correctly describes the process of beta decay?
- AIf an unstable nucleus has too many nucleons, 2 protons and 2 neutrons may be ejected from the nucleus.
- BIf an unstable nucleus has too many protons, a proton may decay into a neutron, releasing a high-energy electron from the nucleus.
- CIf an unstable nucleus has too many neutrons, one or more neutrons will be ejected from the nucleus.
- DIf an unstable nucleus has too many neutrons, a neutron may decay into a proton, releasing a high-energy electron from the nucleus.
Q9:
Which of the following is the correct symbol for a beta particle?
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
Q10:
The graph shows an isotope of thallium undergoing beta decay. The number of protons of the isotope is shown on the -axis, and the number of neutrons of the isotope is shown on the -axis.
What isotope of thallium does the graph show?
- AThallium-212
- BThallium-211
- CThallium-210
- DThallium-209
- EThallium-208
What isotope does the thallium become?
- ALead-208
- BLead-211
- CLead-209
- DLead-210
- ELead-212
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