Nuclear instability Quiz
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5 questions, one answer each
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1. A nucleus lies below the stable band on the N–Z graph. Which decay is possible?
- A. β⁻ decay
- B. β⁺ decay
- C. Gamma emission only
- D. Neutron emission
2. What are the changes in N and Z in alpha decay?
- A. N−2, Z−2
- B. N−4, Z−2
- C. N−1, Z+1
- D. N+1, Z−1
3. Which particle is emitted with the electron in β⁻ decay?
- A. A neutrino
- B. A positron
- C. A proton
- D. An antineutrino
4. Nitrogen-13 (Z = 7) decays by β⁺ emission. What is the daughter nucleus?
- A. Carbon-13
- B. Oxygen-13
- C. Carbon-12
- D. Nitrogen-12
5. Why is technetium-99m suitable as a medical gamma source?
- A. It emits alpha particles that damage tumours
- B. It has a half-life of several years
- C. It emits only gamma rays, which leave the body, and has a half-life of 6 hours
- D. It is stable and does not decay