| The process by which unstable atomic nuclei spontaneously change, emitting radiation to become more stable. | Radioactive Decay |
| What is radioactive decay? | Radioactive decay is the process by which unstable atomic nuclei spontaneously change, emitting radiation to become more stable. |
| The particles and electromagnetic waves emitted from the nucleus during radioactive decay. | Nuclear Radiation |
| What is emitted when a nucleus decays? | When a nucleus decays, it emits nuclear radiation. |
| A type of nuclear radiation consisting of two protons and two neutrons, equivalent to a helium-4 nucleus. | Alpha Particle |
| What is an alpha particle? | In alpha particle is a type of nuclear radiation consisting of two protons and two neutrons, equivalent to a helium-4 nucleus. |
| A high-energy electron emitted from the nucleus during radioactive decay. | Beta Minus Particle |
| What is a beta minus particle? | A beta minus particle is a high-energy electron emitted from the nucleus during radioactive decay. |
| A subatomic particle with the same mass as an electron but with a positive charge, emitted from the nucleus during certain types of radioactive decay. | Positron |
| What is a positron? | A positron is a subatomic particle with the same mass as an electron but with a positive charge, emitted from the nucleus during certain types of radioactive decay. |
| Electromagnetic radiation of high frequency and energy emitted from the nucleus during radioactive decay. | Gamma Ray |
| What is a gamma ray? | A gamma ray is electromagnetic radiation of high frequency and energy emitted from the nucleus during radioactive decay. |
| Radiation with enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, forming ions. | Ionizing Radiation |
| What is ionizing radiation? | Ionizing radiation is radiation with enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, forming ions. |
| A process that occurs unpredictably, without a discernible pattern or order. | Random Process |
| Why is radioactive decay considered a random process? | Radioactive decay is a random process because we can't predict when each individual nucleus will decay, and it's not possible to influence when a nucleus will decay. |
| Equations used to represent radioactive decay processes. | Nuclear Equations |
| What are nuclear equations used to show? | Nuclear equations are used to show radioactive decay. |
| The principle that the sum of the mass numbers remains constant in nuclear equations. | Conservation of Mass Numbers |
| What principle governs the sum of mass numbers in nuclear equations? | In a nuclear equation, the sum of the mass numbers should be the same before and after the decay. |
| The principle that the sum of the atomic numbers remains constant in alpha decay. | Conservation of Atomic Numbers in Alpha Decay |
| What principle governs the sum of atomic numbers in alpha decay? | In alpha decay, the sum of the atomic numbers should also be the same before and after the decay. |
| A type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle, reducing its atomic number by 2 and its mass number by 4. | Alpha Decay |
| What happens to the atomic and mass numbers during alpha decay? | During alpha decay, the mass number of the radioactive atom decreases by 4, and the atomic number decreases by 2. |
| Radon-219 decays to polonium-215 by alpha decay. | Alpha Decay Example |
| A type of radioactive decay in which a neutron in the nucleus decays into a proton, emitting an electron. | Beta Minus Decay |
| What happens to the mass and atomic numbers during beta minus decay? | During beta minus decay, the mass number doesn't change, and the atomic number increases by 1. |
| Carbon-14 decays to nitrogen-14 by beta minus decay. | Beta Minus Decay Example |
| A type of radioactive decay in which a proton in the nucleus decays into a neutron, emitting a positron. | Positron Emission |
| What happens to the mass and atomic numbers during positron emission? | During positron emission, the mass number doesn't change, and the atomic number decreases by 1. |
| Magnesium-23 decays to sodium-23 by positron emission. | Positron Emission Example |
| The emission of gamma rays from a nucleus following other types of radioactive decay. | Gamma Decay |
| What is emitted during gamma decay? | Gamma rays are emitted. This is to allow the rearranged nucleus to get rid of any excess energy. |
| The release of a neutron from the nucleus of an atom. | Neutron Emission |
| What happens to the mass and atomic numbers during neutron emission? | During neutron emission, the mass number decreases by 1, and the atomic number doesn't change. |
