Nuclear Physics - Questions1V.1
Solutions can be found on class webpage (check when you are finished)
1. What happens to the atomic number and mass number of an element when it undergoes:
alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay?
2. With the use of a periodic table determine which elements have the following atomic
numbers.
a) 83
b) 7
c) 56
3. Write the alpha decay equation in which uranium-238 changes to thorium-234.
234
4. Write the beta decay equation for thorium-234 as it changes to 91
Pa .
5. Write the beta decay equation as
212
Bi changes to
212
Po .
6. Give the value for x and y in the following decay equations.
y
4
a) 238
x U  90Th  2 He
b)
234
91
c)
x
90
234
x  92
y  01e
226
Th  88
Ra  24 y
7. Fill in the missing blanks for the following equations.
226
a) 88
Ra   42 He
214
82
Po  01 e
b)
c)
8. When
238
92
3
1
H
 00 
U undergoes alpha decay
234
90
Th is produced. This undergoes beta decay and
234
234
produces 91
Pa which will then undergo beta decay producing 92
U . Write the nuclear
decay equations associated with this decay series.
9. Lead – 214 starts a decay series where four beta and two alpha particles are emitted.
What is the final stable element? State its atomic number and atomic mass.
10. Plutonium – 241 starts a decay series where eight alpha and five beta particles are
emitted. What is the final stable element? State its atomic number and atomic mass.
Physics 30 – Unit IV – Nuclear Physics – QuestionsIV_1_1
http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/curr_content/phys30/
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