CH113 Radioactivity Practice Worksheet

1. State the number of neutrons and protons in each of the following nuclei:
a. : ________________________________________________________
b. : ________________________________________________________
c. : _______________________________________________________
d. : _______________________________________________________

2. The three types of radioactive emissions are called alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (γ) radiation.
Complete the table below with the correct information about each type.
Charge Atomic Symbol Can Be Stopped By

Alpha +2e α Paper

Beta -1e β Aluminum

Gamma 0 γ Thick lead or

concrete

3. Which of the three radioactive emissions (α, β or γ) best fit the following statements? Write the correct
symbol/s on the lines.
a) This emission can travel through walls. γ
b) These emissions are charged. α, β
c) This emission is the most charged. α
d) This emission can travel through paper, but is stopped by aluminum. β
e) This emission is strongly ionizing. α
f) This emission is most dangerous outside of the body. γ
g) This emission is stopped by thin paper or a few centimeters of air α
h) This emission is the most massive (heaviest). α
i) This emission is very weakly ionizing. γ
j) These emissions do not affect mass. α, β and γ

4. Which type of radiation – alpha, beta, or gamma:

a. Results in the greatest change in atomic number? Why?

Beta (β) radiation causes the greatest change in atomic number. Beta decay involves the
emission of either an electron (β-) or a positron (β+). This emission occurs when a neutron
decays into a proton (β- emission) or a proton decays into a neutron (β+ emission), leading to a
change in atomic number

b. Results in the least change in atomic number? Why?

Gamma (γ) radiation results in no change in atomic number. Gamma rays are high-energy
electromagnetic waves emitted from the nucleus as a result of rearrangements in nuclear
energy levels. They do not involve the emission of particles or alter the number of protons in
the nucleus, thus leaving the atomic number unchanged.
 c. Produces the greatest change in mass number? Why?
Alpha (α) radiation produces the greatest change in mass number. Alpha decay involves the
emission of an alpha particle, which comprises two protons and two neutrons—essentially a
helium-4 nucleus. This emission decreases the mass number of the original atom by 4 and the
atomic number by 2, causing a significant change in mass number.

5. Identify the missing particles in the following nuclear reactions:

+ à + __________

6. When isotope bismuth-213 emits an alpha particle:

a. Write out the nuclear equation: ce21383Bi−>81209Tl+24He
b. Which is the parent element? Bismuth-213
c. Which is the daughter element? Thallium-209
d. What new element results if the isotope, instead, emits a beta particle? If bismuth-213
were to undergo beta decay (emission of a beta particle), it would transform into Polonium-213

7. The inhalation of radon-222 and its decay to form other isotopes poses a health hazard
Write the balanced nuclear equations for the decay of radon-222 to lead-206 in eight steps.
A. Step 1: Radon-222 decays to alpha emission. (Rn)
Example: 22286 Rn → 42 α + 21884 Po

B. Step 2: The daughter product in part a decays by alpha emission. (this means that the answer you
got in A will be the parent nuclide here, same for the rest).

C. Step 3: The daughter product in part b decays by beta and gamma emissions.

D. Step 4: The daughter product in part c decays by beta and gamma emissions.

E. Step 5: The daughter product in part d decays by alpha emission.

F. Step 6: The daughter product in e decays by beta emission.

G. Step 7: The daughter product in f decays by beta and gamma emissions.

H. Step 8: The daughter product in g decays by alpha and gamma emissions.

The final staple isotope is lead-206

8. When emits a beta particle, it transforms into a new element.

a. Write out the nuclear equation: _____________________________________________________
 b. Fill out the chart below:

Name of the Atomic Atomic # Of # Of # Of

Element Number Mass Protons Electrons Neutrons
Parent
Element
Daughter
Element

9. In a paper-making factory, beta radiation is used to check that the paper being produced is the correct
thickness. If the paper gets too thin, the reading on the detector increases causing the rollers to move
apart to make the paper thicker. If the paper gets too thick, the reading on the detector goes down
causing the rollers to move closer together. A diagram of this set-up is shown below:

detector
rollers

paper
source

Explain why beta radiation is used for this procedure rather than alpha or gamma radiation.

10. An isotope of cesium (cesium-137) has a half-life of 30 years. If 1,0 g of cesium-137 disintegrates
over a period of 90 years, how many g of cesium-137 would remain?

11. The half-life of isotope X is 2.0 years. How many years would it take for a 4.0 mg sample of X to
decay and have only 0.50 mg of it remain?

12. The half-life of Po-218 is three minutes. How much of a 2.0gram sample remains after 15 minutes?
Suppose you wanted to buy some of this isotope, and it required half an hour for it reach you. How
much should you order if you need to use 0.10 gram of this material?