PHYSICS IB RADIOACTIVE DECAY

NAME :- Date:-__________

1/a) Complete the graph below, and label it fully, to show the major categories of stable and unstable
nuclides :-

MASS
NUMBER

PROTON NUMBER (4)

b) In terms of the ideas of radioactive decay explain the meaning of the word "stability" :-_________
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c) Explain why all nuclides with a proton number greater than 83 are unstable :-________________
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2/ a) Explain why - decay is much more common than + decay :-___________________________

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b)(i) Write a balanced equation to show the basic process that occurs in all - decays :-

(2)
(ii)) Explain why some of the particles produced in this kind of decay remain in the nucleus
but others are ejected :-___________________________________________________________
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(iii) - produces a nuclide that is more stable than the original nuclide. Explain what happens to the
energy released in this process :-___________________________________________________
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c) Complete the equations below that show - decays :-

(i)
14 C N + ............. + .............. (2)
6

(ii)
12 B C + ................. + ................ (2)
5

(iii)
40 K Ar + ................. + ................. (2)
19

(iv) Co
60 Ni + ................. + .................... (2)
28

(v) Ra 228 Ac + .................. + ................... (2)

88
3/ Gold ( 197 -
79 Au ) could be produced by the decay of another element.

a) Write a balanced equation to show the - decay that would produce gold :-

(2)
b) In order to initiate this decay it would be necessary to make the starting material unstable
by the process of neutron capture.
(i) Identify the starting material (use a Periodic Table) :-________________________________(1)

(ii) Suggest why this is not a sensible way to produce gold :-______________________________
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4/ a) Write a balanced equation to show the basic process that occurs in all + decays :-

(2)
b)(i) Describe what a positron is :-_____________________________________________________
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(ii) Explain why, under normal circumstances, positrons have a very short life time :-____________
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c) The mass of a proton is less than that of a neutron . Explain how + decay is possible despite an
apparent mass increase :-
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d) Complete the following equations that show + decay :-

(i)
65 Zn Cu + ................. + ...................... (2)
30

(ii) N
12 C + ................... + .................... (2)
6

5/ Gold ( 197 +
79 Au ) could be produced by the of another element.
a) Write a balanced equation to show the + decay that would produce gold :-

(2)
b) In order to initiate this decay it would be necessary to make the starting material unstable
by the adding an extra proton to one of its isotopes.

(i) Identify the starting material (use a Periodic Table) :-________________________________(1)

(ii) Suggest why this is not a sensible way to try to produce gold :-__________________________
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6/ a) Describe the process of electron capture :-___________________________________________

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b) Electron capture is a very rare process...very few nuclides decay in this way. Explain why some
nuclides decay this way rather than by + decay :-_______________________________________
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6/c) Write a balanced equation to show the process of an electron capture decay :-

(2)
d) Complete the following equations that show electron capture decay :-

(i)
239 Am Pu + .......................... (2)
95

(ii) Co
57 Fe + ........................... (2)
26

e) Explain what happens to the energy released during this process :-__________________________
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7/ a) Describe an particle :-_________________________________________________________

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b) Complete the following equations to show decay :-

(i)
224 Ra Rn + ............ (2)
88

(ii) Rn
216 Po + ................... (2)
84

(iii)
216 Po Pb + ................... (2)
84
8/ The diagram below represents a part of what is called the "uranium decay series".
MASS NUMBER
218
Y
216
Bi
214
Z Po
212
Pb
210 Tl X

208

206 Tl Pb

204
78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86
PROTON NUMBER

a) Identify the nuclide shown as :-

(i) X = (1) (ii) Y = (1) (iii) Z = (1)

_______________ ______________ _______________

b) Write a balanced equation for the decay of :-

(i) 214 Bi to Tl :-

(2)

(ii) 214 Bi to Po :-

(2)

(iii) 210 Tl to 210 Pb to X :-

(4)

(iv) The beta decay of 206 Tl

(2)