Radioactive Decay Quiz
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5 questions, one answer each
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1. What is an alpha particle equivalent to?
- A. An electron
- B. A helium nucleus
- C. A neutron
- D. A photon
2. Which radiation type is most easily absorbed, needing only paper or a few cm of air?
- A. Alpha
- B. Beta
- C. Gamma
- D. Neutron
3. In β− decay, what happens inside the nucleus?
- A. A proton becomes a neutron
- B. A neutron becomes a proton, emitting an electron
- C. A neutron is emitted
- D. Two protons combine
4. A nucleus undergoes alpha decay. How do its mass number and atomic number change?
- A. Mass number −4, atomic number −2
- B. Mass number −2, atomic number −4
- C. Mass number unchanged, atomic number −2
- D. Mass number −4, atomic number unchanged
5. A radioactive source has an initial activity of 1200 Bq and a half-life of 5 minutes. What is its activity after 15 minutes?
- A. 600 Bq
- B. 300 Bq
- C. 150 Bq
- D. 75 Bq