Multiple choice

Which of the following are the correct definitions?

  1. Alpha decay – when nucleus emits a particle similar in composition to a Helium nucleus
  2. Beta decay – when nucleus emits a high energy positron
  3. Gamma decay – when nucleus emits very high frequency electromagnetic radiation

  1. 1 and 2

  2. 2 and 3

  3. 1 and 3

  4. All three
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The three forms of radiation that Becquerel and the Curies discovered are also more fully understood. Alpha decay is when a nucleus releases an alpha particle, which is two protons and two neutrons, equivalent to a helium nucleus. Beta decay is the release of a beta particle, a high energy electron. Gamma decay releases gamma rays, which unlike alpha and beta radiation are not matter but electromagnetic radiations of very high frequency, and therefore energy.

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