Radioactive Decay Fundamentals
A Grade 12 Chemistry worksheet covering the principles of radioactive decay, types of decay, half-life calculations, and applications.
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Radioactive Decay Fundamentals
Name:
Date:
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Read each question carefully and provide clear, concise answers. Show all calculations where necessary.
1. Which type of radioactive decay involves the emission of a helium nucleus?
Beta decay
Alpha decay
Gamma decay
Electron capture
2. What is the approximate half-life of Carbon-14?
5730 years
100 years
4.5 billion years
12.3 years
3. The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation is known as .
4. The time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay is called its .
5. Describe the main differences between alpha, beta, and gamma radiation in terms of their composition and penetrating power.
6. Explain how radioactive decay is utilized in carbon dating.
7. All isotopes of an element are radioactive.
True
False
8. Gamma radiation consists of electromagnetic waves and has no mass or charge.
True
False
9. A sample of a radioactive isotope initially contains 100g. After 30 days, 12.5g of the isotope remains. Calculate the half-life of this isotope.
