G4.

2 Radioactive Decay Practice

Directions: Pick one section and complete it. For extra credit, complete all three
sections. Tip: The space provided for each question is an indication of how much
space you will need to answer the question properly.

Section 1
What particles are present in the nucleus of an atom that account for its great
density? List the relative masses and charges for these particles.

What does it mean when we say that a substance is radioactive?

How is balancing nuclear equations similar to balancing chemical equations? How is

it different?

Provide an example of each of the following nuclear processes: alpha-particle

production and beta-particle production.

Complete the following nuclear equations by supplying the missing particle:

2

H+

Br

74
35

He + ?

Beta + ?

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Section 2
What is the net effect of Beta production? Use an example to support your answer.

Use AZX notation to show the net effect of alpha-particle production and betaparticle production. That is, each of the equations you write should have AZX on the

left side and should be balanced. Provide at least three examples that do not appear
on this worksheet.

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Section 3
There are four stable isotopes of iron with mass numbers 54, 56, 57, and 58. There
are two radioactive isotopes: iron-53 and iron-59. Predict modes of decay for each of
these isotopes and explain.