Radioactive Decay Worksheet
This worksheet covers key concepts of radioactive decay, including types of decay, half-life calculations, and applications, suitable for Grade 12 Physics students.
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Radioactive Decay
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Show all your work for calculation problems.
1. Which type of radioactive decay results in the emission of an electron from the nucleus?
Alpha decay
Beta-minus decay
Gamma decay
Positron emission
2. What is the half-life of a radioactive isotope if 75% of an initial sample decays in 20 days?
5 days
10 days
15 days
20 days
3. The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation is known as .
4. In alpha decay, an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons, identical to a nucleus.
5. Gamma radiation consists of high-energy electromagnetic waves and has no mass or charge.
True
False
6. The activity of a radioactive sample increases exponentially over time.
True
False
7. Describe the main differences between fission and fusion reactions.
Match the type of decay with its characteristic particle/wave.
A. Alpha Decay
1. High-energy electron
B. Beta-minus Decay
2. Helium nucleus
C. Gamma Decay
3. Electromagnetic wave
8. A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 6 hours. If you start with a 100g sample, how much of the isotope will remain after 18 hours?