What is a radioactive decay series quizlet?
What is a radioactive decay series quizlet?
radioactive decay series. A series of nuclear reactions that starts with an unstable nucleus and results in the formation of a stable nucleus.
What is the decay series of uranium 235?
actinium series
Decay Chain of Isotope U-235 The 4n+3 chain of uranium-235 is commonly called the “actinium series”. Beginning with the naturally-occurring isotope U-235, this decay series includes the following elements: Actinium, astatine, bismuth, francium, lead, polonium, protactinium, radium, radon, thallium, and thorium.
How can you change the radioactive decay rate?
The half-life of radioactive decay can also be altered by changing the state of the electrons surrounding the nucleus. In a type of radioactive decay called “electron capture”, the nucleus absorbs one of the atom’s electrons and combines it with a proton to make a neutron and a neutrino.
What is radioactive decay flashcards?
Radioactive decay, also known as nuclear decay or radioactivity, is the process by which a nucleus of an unstable atom loses energy by emitting radiation. A material that spontaneously emits such radiation — which includes alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays and conversion electrons — is considered radioactive.
Can radioactive decay be changed?
Yes, the decay half-life of a radioactive material can be changed. Radioactive decay happens when an unstable atomic nucleus spontaneously changes to a lower-energy state and spits out a bit of radiation. This process changes the atom to a different element or a different isotope.
Can you speed up radioactive decay?
So increasing the density of electrons surrounding the atomic nucleus can speed up the decay. The reverse is true for the types of decay that involve expelling a neutron: increasing the electron density around that type of atom slows the process down.
What are the 5 types of radioactive decay?
There are five types of radioactive decay: alpha emission, beta emission, positron emission, electron capture, and gamma emission. Each type of decay emits a specific particle which changes the type of product produced.
What are the three types of nuclear decay?
Altogether, there are three major types of nuclear decay that radioactive particles can undergo: alpha, beta, or gamma decay. Each type emits a particle from the nucleus. Alpha particles are high-energy helium nuclei containing 2 protons and 2 neutrons.
What happens during radioactive decay?
Radioactive decay causes the release of radiation in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. The end result of radioactive decay is the creation of a stable atomic nucleus.
What is the process of radioactive decay?
Nuclear physics. “Radioactive decay is the process by which the nucleus of an unstable atom loses energy by emitting radiation, including alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays and conversion electrons.”.