What particle is emitted in alpha radiation?
helium nucleus
Which of the following naturally occurring radioisotopes would be most useful in dating objects thought to be millions of years old?
potassium -40; t 1/2 = 1.28 x 10? years
What particle does argon-39 (atomic number 18) emit when it decays to potassium-39 (atomic number 19)?
electron
Which of the following materials is necessary to stop an alpha particle?
single sheet of paper
What particle decomposes to produce the electron of beta radiation?
neutron
If an isotope decays by the process of beta emission, ____ .
the atomic number changes
Which of the following materials is necessary to stop a beta particle?
thin pieces of wood
What is the change in atomic mass when an atom emits gamma radiation?
remains the same
What is the approximate half-life of uranium-238?
billions of years
Control rods made of ____ .
cadmium
An unstable nucleus____ .
emits energy when it decays
What is the change in atomic mass when an atom emits a beta particle?
increases by 1
Which is the most susceptible to damage from ionizing radiation?
soft tissue
Which type of coolant(s) usually is (are) used to remove heat from a nuclear reactor core?
liquid sodium or water
Which of the following statements is correct?
Water is used to moderate (slow down) neutrons in a nuclear reactor.
To what element does polonium-208 (atomic number 84) decay when it emits an alpha particle?
�????Pb
Which of the following is NOT a reason that water is used to store spent fuel rods from nuclear power plants?
Water increases the speed of the chain reaction in the fuel rods.
What does neutron absorption accomplish in a nuclear reactor?
It slows down the reaction.
Which of the following materials is most effective for stopping gamma radiation?
several cm of lead
What happens in a chain reaction?
Products that start a new reaction are released.
How does an atom with too many neutrons relative to protons undergo radioactive decay?
by emitting a beta particle
Controlled nuclear chain reactions ____ .
take place in nuclear reactors
What substances are used as moderators in a nuclear reactor?
carbon and water
What is the change in atomic mass number when an atom emits an alpha particle?
decreases by 4
What particle is needed to complete the following equation?
1/0 n
What instrument is used routinely to check a person's exposure to radiation?
film badge
What particle is needed to complete the following nuclear equation?
56/26 Fe
positron
particle of charge +1 and mass equal to that of an electron
alpha particle
emitted helium nucleus
beta particle
energetic electron from decomposed neutron
transuranium element
element with atomic number greater than 92
gamma radiation
high-energy photons emitted by a radioisotope
transmutation
conversion of an atom of one element to an atom of another element
What particle is needed to complete this nuclear reaction?
4/2 He
What type of radiation is best detected by a scintillation counter?
all types of radiation
What is the change in atomic number when an atom emits a beta particle?
increases by 1
A beta particle is a(n) ____ .
electron
What symbol is used for beta radiation?
0/-1 e
fission
splitting of nucleus into smaller fragments
fusion
combination of two nuclei to form a nucleus of greater mass
Geiger counter
radiation detector that makes use of a gas-filled metal tube
radioisotope
element with unstable nucleus
scintillation counter
radiation detector that makes use of a phosphor-coated surface
neutron absorption
process that decreases the number of slow-moving neutrons
neutron moderation
process that slows down neutrons so a reactor fuel can capture them to continue a chain reaction
Nuclear fusion ____ .
takes place in the sun
The production of carbon-14 ____ .
takes place in the upper atmosphere
Radiation therapy is used to ___ .
treat cancer
Radioisotopes taken internally for medical reasons ____.
should have a short half-life
What does the band of stability for atomic nuclei refer to?
the ratio of neutrons to protons
What is the main detector of a Geiger counter?
ionizable gas in a metal tube
What is the change in the atomic number when an atom emits an alpha particle?
decreases by 2
Which symbol is used for an alpha particle?
4/2 He
What is the change in atomic number caused by the emission of gamma radiation?
remains the same
What is the main detector of a scintillation counter?
phosphor-covered surface