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Chapter 2: Problem 2

Name the types of radiation known to be emitted by radioactive elements.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The types of radiation known to be emitted by radioactive elements are Alpha particles, Beta particles, and Gamma rays.

Step by step solution

01

Identify Alpha Particles

Alpha particles are one type of radiation. They are emitted by high energy radioactive substances, like uranium or radium. Each alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons, identical to a helium nucleus. They are relatively heavy and slow.
02

Identify Beta Particles

Beta radiation consists of either electrons or positrons. They are fast-moving particles with high energy. Beta minus decay emits an electron and an antineutrino, that occurs when a neutron in the nucleus decays to a proton. Beta plus decay emits a positron and a neutrino, that occurs when a proton in the nucleus decays into a neutron.
03

Identify Gamma Rays

Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, similar to X-rays. They're produced along with alpha or beta particles during radioactive decay. Gamma rays have neither mass nor charge. They have the shortest wavelength, highest frequency and energy among other types of waves in the electromagnetic spectrum.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Explain the meaning of each term in the symbol \({ }_{Z}^{A} \mathrm{X}\).

Give an example of a case in which two molecules have different molecular formulas but the same empirical formula.

Each of the following pairs of elements will react to form an ionic compound. Write the formulas and name these compounds: (a) barium and oxygen, (b) calcium and phosphorus, (c) aluminum and sulfur, (d) lithium and nitrogen.

Describe the changes in properties (from metals to nonmetals or from nonmetals to metals) as we move (a) down a periodic group and (b) across the periodic table from left to right.

The diameter of a helium atom is about \(1 \times 10^{2} \mathrm{pm}\). Suppose that we could line up helium atoms side by side in contact with one another. Approximately how many atoms would it take to make the distance from end to end \(1 \mathrm{~cm} ?\)
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