Problem Set 4.1: Radiation of Particles (Alpha, Beta, Gamma Decay) Instructions: Read pages 136 to 145 in your text and answer the questions that follow.

1. What is an isotope? One or more atoms of an element that have the same number of protons (same

atomic number) but have a different number of neutrons resulting in different atomic masses.

2. What is a radioisotope (radioactive isotope)? An isotope that naturally emits radiation

3. Use the following symbol to answer the questions below:

a) What is the atomic number of the element? ________6

b) What is the mass number of the element? ________14

c) How many protons does the element have? ________6

d) How many neutrons does the element have? ________8

4. The ? in the box below represents the symbol of the element

a) What is the name of the element? ________cobalt

b) How many protons does the element have? ________27

c) How many neutrons does the element have? ________30

5. Complete the following chart:

	Symbol(s)	Charge	Description
Alpha particle		+2	Helium nucleus
Beta particle		-1	High energy electron
Gamma Ray		0	High energy electromagnetic radiation

6. Classify each reaction as: alpha, beta or gamma decay.

a) alpha decay

b) gamma decay

c) beta decay

7. Each of the following undergoes alpha decay. Use a periodic table to complete the following nuclear equations.

8. Each of the following undergoes beta decay. Use a periodic table to complete the following nuclear equations.