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Radioactive Decay

Also known as nuclear decay, radioactive decay is the decrease of radiation through time.

540 Questions

Why are alpha and gamma radiations used in americium 241?

Alpha radiation from americium-241 is used in smoke detectors because it ionizes the air particles, causing a small electric current to flow and trigger the alarm. Gamma radiation from americium-241 can be used in radiography to detect flaws in materials or for sterilization purposes.

How much energy is released if a sample losses 05 kg mass through readioactive decay?

The energy released through radioactive decay can be calculated using Einstein's mass-energy equivalence formula, E=mc^2, where E is the energy released, m is the mass lost (0.05 kg in this case), and c is the speed of light. Plugging in the values, the energy released would be E = 0.05 kg * (3.00 x 10^8 m/s)^2.

What are some benefits of carbon dating to humans?

Carbon dating is very important. Carbon dating is the radio-activity of Carbon 14 which is unstable so it emits protons once in a while in order to become a more stable isotope. Using Carbon dating, we can determine with accuracy how old something is.

How half life and carbon dating are related?

Carbon dating relies on the principle of half-life, which is the time it takes for half of a radioactive isotope to decay. In carbon dating, the radioactive isotope carbon-14 is used to determine the age of organic materials. By measuring the remaining amount of carbon-14 in a sample and knowing its half-life, scientists can calculate the age of the sample.

What is the final product of a sequence of spontaneous nuclear decay reactions?

The final product of a sequence of spontaneous nuclear decay reactions could be a stable nucleus or a new element altogether, depending on the specific radioactive decay pathways followed. This process usually involves emitting particles such as alpha or beta radiation, eventually leading to a more stable configuration.

How many grams of Thorium-234 would be left after 96 days if there were 4 grams to start with?

After 96 days, there would be approximately 1 gram of Thorium-234 left from the initial 4 grams. Thorium-234 has a half-life of 24.1 days, so after each half-life, the amount of Thorium-234 would be halved.

How much energy is released if 1 kg of mass is lost through rafioactive decay?

The energy released through radioactive decay can be calculated using Einstein's famous equation E=mc^2, where E is the energy, m is the mass lost, and c is the speed of light. For 1 kg of mass lost, the energy released would be about 9 x 10^16 joules.

How do you do nuclear decay equations?

To write nuclear decay equations, you would typically start with the parent nucleus and identify the type of decay (alpha, beta, gamma). Then, you would balance the equation by conserving mass number and atomic number on both sides of the equation. Finally, you write the decay products. Remember to include the correct particles emitted during the decay process.

Is radioactivity man made?

Some isotopes of elements are naturally radioactive, meaning they emit radiation spontaneously. However, humans have also created radioactive isotopes through processes such as nuclear reactors and weapons testing. So while radioactivity can occur naturally, it can also be man-made.

What is a nuclear decay graph?

Make a graph by plotting the atomic number vs the mass number of stable isotopes. If you then locate the position of some unstable isotope and it is on one side of the stable isotopes it indicates beta decay, but if on the other side it indicated alpha decay.

This a nuclear decay graph.

What nuclear decay have no mass and no charge?

Gamma decay involves the emission of a gamma ray, which is a high-energy photon with no charge and no mass.

Which process is not a common form of natural radioactive decay?

Nuclear fission is not a common form of natural radioactive decay. Nuclear fission occurs when a heavy atomic nucleus splits into smaller nuclei, releasing energy in the process, but it is primarily associated with artificial processes such as nuclear power generation or nuclear weapons.

What is the most common type of radioactive decay?

Sometimes there is, depending on the type of decay. In the so-called "beta decy", the atom emits either an electron or an anti-electron.

What are reactants and products in nuclear decay equations?

In nuclear decay equations, reactants are the original unstable nucleus undergoing decay, while products are the resulting stable or daughter nucleus and any emitted particles such as alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. The reactants are on the left side of the equation, and the products are on the right side.

What is the difference between nuclear decay and nuclear transformation reactions?

Nuclear decay is the spontaneous process where an unstable nucleus emits particles or energy to become more stable. Nuclear transformation reactions involve bombarding a nucleus with particles to alter its composition or create new nuclei. Decay is a natural process, while transformation reactions are induced.

What is the nuclear decay equation for beryllium 7?

The nuclear decay equation for beryllium-7 is: Be-7 -> Li-7 + e⁻ + νe This shows that beryllium-7 decays into lithium-7, an electron, and an electron antineutrino.

What does radioactive decay do to magma?

Radioactive decay can generate heat within magma, contributing to its overall temperature. This heat can cause magma to become more fluid and less viscous, potentially leading to increased volcanic activity and eruptions. Additionally, radioactive decay products within magma can alter its chemical composition and influence its behavior.

What is meant by the term random decay?

Random decay refers to the spontaneous breakdown or disintegration of atomic nuclei without external influence, leading to the emission of radiation such as alpha, beta, or gamma particles. This process occurs unpredictably and is governed by the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics, resulting in an exponential decay of radioactive isotopes over time.

How will you determine the age of rock and mineral by carbon dating?

Carbon dating is not typically used to determine the age of rocks and minerals. Instead, techniques such as radiometric dating, which relies on the natural decay of radioactive isotopes, are more commonly used for this purpose. These methods can provide more accurate age estimates for rocks and minerals over a wider range of time scales.

What is non radioactive decay?

Radioactive decay is the spontaneous change or disintegration of an unstable atomic nucleus as it transforms itself to lose energy. It does this by the release of either particulate radiation or electromagnetic radiation, or both. This atomic event is random and cannot be predicted, but by applying statistical principles to large numbers of a given radionuclide, an "average" decay time can be found, and we have the half-life. There are several different types of radioactive decay. They range from spontaneous fission to alpha decay, beta decay and a couple of others.

The spontaneous breakdown of a nucleus

How does radiation spread once a nuclear bomb detonates?

  1. prompt radiation is emitted at the time of detonation and propagates in straight lines from the fireball in all directions; prompt radiation is neutrons, gamma rays, x-rays, UV, light, IR, with smaller amounts of microwave and radio waves
  2. delayed radiation is mostly in the form of fallout and spreads by the winds (in an atmospheric detonation), water currents (in an underwater detonation), or by following the earth's magnetic field lines (in a detonation in space; delayed radiation is mostly alpha, beta, and gamma rays