8.1.7

Nuclear Instability

Test yourself on Nuclear Instability

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Nuclear Instability

Some isotopes of atoms are more stable than others. The unstable isotopes can decay radioactively.

Stability

Stability

  • Above is a graph of the number of neutrons against the number of protons in an atom
  • There is a pattern where some atoms are more stable.
  • An unstable atom will decay to a more stable atom.
Types of decay

Types of decay

  • Atoms usually decay through alpha or beta radiation untill they reach a stable point.
  • Any chain of alpha and beta radiation is possible to reach a stable point.
  • Alpha radiation reduces the atom by two neutrons and two protons.
  • Beta radiation reduced the atom by one neutron and increases by one proton.

Decay Equations

When an atom decays it may release radiation and a new atom is created. We can write equations for this decay.

Types of radiation

Types of radiation

  • Alpha radiation is made up of two protons and two neutrons.
    • The mass number will reduce by four and the atomic number by two.
  • Beta radiation changes a neutron into a proton and releases an electron.
    • The mass number will not change but the atomic number will increase by one.
  • Gamma radiation is a wave and will only change the energy of the atom, not the form
Equations of decay

Equations of decay

  • A decay equation shows the mass and atomic numbers for all of the atoms or radiation present.
  • Charge and mass must be conserved so we know that the sum of the mass number before and the sum after have to be the same.
  • We can work out what type of radiation is produced if we know the mass and atomic number before and after.
    • Remember radiation is a product, not a reactant. It should be after the arrow.

Excited States in Nuclei

Just as atoms have excited states, nuclei also have excited states.

Atomic excited states

Atomic excited states

  • In an atom, an electron can gain energy and be promoted to a higher energy level.
  • When the electron returns to the original level, the energy is released as electromagnetic waves.
Nuclear excited states

Nuclear excited states

  • Nuclei also have excited states. This is because of the different arrangements of protons and neutrons within a nucleus.
  • When the protons and neutrons rearrange to a lower energy state, the excess energy is released as gamma radiation.
Technetium-99m

Technetium-99m

  • It is possible to work out the energy of the gamma radiation released.
    • Technetium-99m is a valuable resource as it is used in gamma cameras in hospitals. It is produced from the beta decay of molybdenum-99.
Jump to other topics
1

Measurements & Errors

1.1

Measurements & Errors

1.1.1SI Base Units1.1.2Combining SI Units1.1.3Prefixes of Units1.1.4Standard Form1.1.5Converting Units1.1.6End of Topic Test - Units & Prefixes1.1.7Limitation of Physical Measurements1.1.8Uncertainty1.1.9Estimation1.1.10End of Topic Test - Measurements & Errors1.1.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - Converting between SI1.1.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - SI & Area/Volume
2

Particles & Radiation

2.1

Particles

2.1.1Atomic Model2.1.2Specific Charge, Protons & Neutron Numbers2.1.3End of Topic Test - Atomic Model2.1.4Isotopes2.1.5Stable & Unstable Nuclei2.1.6End of Topic Test - Isotopes & Nuclei2.1.7A-A* (AO3/4) - Stable & Unstable Nuclei2.1.8Particles, Antiparticles & Photons2.1.9Particle Interactions2.1.10Classification of Particles2.1.11End of Topic Test - Particles & Interactions2.1.12Quarks & Antiquarks2.1.13Application of Conservation Laws2.1.14End of Topic Test - Leptons & Quarks2.1.15Exam-Style Question - Radioactive Decay
2.2

Electromagnetic Radiation & Quantum Phenomena

2.2.1The Photoelectric Effect2.2.2The Photoelectric Effect Explanation2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Photoelectric Effect2.2.4Collisions of Electrons with Atoms2.2.5Energy Levels & Photon Emission2.2.6Wave-Particle Duality2.2.7End of Topic Test - Absorption & Emission2.2.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Electron Volts2.2.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Converting eV & Joules
3

Waves

3.1

Progressive & Stationary Waves

3.1.1Progressive Waves3.1.2Wave Speed & Phase Difference3.1.3Longitudinal & Transverse Waves3.1.4End of Topic Test - Progressive Waves3.1.5Polarisation3.1.6Stationary Waves3.1.7Stationary Waves 23.1.8End of Topic Test - Polarisation & Stationary Wave3.1.9A-A* (AO3/4) - Stationary Waves
3.2

Refraction, Diffraction & Interference

3.2.1Interference3.2.2Interference 23.2.3End of Topic Test - Interference3.2.4Diffraction3.2.5Diffraction Gratings3.2.6End of Topic Test - Diffraction3.2.7Refraction at a Plane Surface3.2.8Internal Reflection & Fibre Optics3.2.9End of Topic Test - Refraction3.2.10Exam-Style Question - Waves
4

Mechanics & Materials

4.1

Force, Energy & Momentum

4.1.1Scalars & Vectors4.1.2Vector Problems4.1.3End of Topic Test - Scalars & Vectors4.1.4Moments4.1.5Centre of Mass4.1.6End of Topic Test - Moments & Centre of Mass4.1.7Motion in a Straight Line4.1.8Graphs of Motion4.1.9Bouncing Ball Example4.1.10End of Topic Test - Motion in a Straight Line4.1.11Acceleration Due to Gravity4.1.12Projectile Motion4.1.13Friction4.1.14Terminal Speed4.1.15End of Topic Test - Acceleration Due to Gravity4.1.16Newton's Laws4.1.17Momentum4.1.18Momentum 24.1.19End of Topic Test - Newton's Laws & Momentum4.1.20A-A* (AO3/4) - Newton's Third Law4.1.21Work & Energy4.1.22Power & Efficiency4.1.23Conservation of Energy4.1.24End of Topic Test - Work, Energy & Power4.1.25Exam-Style Question - Forces4.1.26Diagnostic Misconceptions - Perpendicular Vectors4.1.27Diagnostic Misconceptions - Weight Acts Downwards4.1.28Diagnostic Misconceptions - Acceleration Direction4.1.29Diagnostic Misconceptions - Stationary Objects4.1.30Diagnostic Misconceptions - Action & Reaction4.1.31Diagnostic Misconceptions - RF Direction4.1.32Diagnostic Misconceptions - RF Acceleration4.1.33Diagnostic Misconceptions - Change in Momentum
4.2

Materials

4.2.1Density4.2.2Bulk Properties of Solids4.2.3Energy in Materials4.2.4Young Modulus4.2.5End of Topic Test - Materials
5

Electricity

5.1

Current Electricity

5.1.1Basics of Electricity5.1.2Current-Voltage Characteristics5.1.3End of Topic Test - Basics of Electricity5.1.4Resistivity5.1.5Superconductivity5.1.6A-A* (AO3/4) - Superconductivity5.1.7End of Topic Test - Resistivity & Superconductors5.1.8Circuits5.1.9Power and Conservation5.1.10Potential Divider5.1.11Emf & Internal Resistance5.1.12End of Topic Test - Power & Potential5.1.13Exam-Style Question - Resistance5.1.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Constant Current5.1.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Potential Difference
6

Further Mechanics & Thermal Physics (A2 only)

6.1

Periodic Motion (A2 only)

6.1.1Circular Motion6.1.2Circular Motion 26.1.3End of Topic Test - Circular Motion6.1.4Simple Harmonic Motion6.1.5Simple Harmonic Systems6.1.6Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion6.1.7Resonance6.1.8End of Topic Test - Simple Harmonic Motion6.1.9A-A* (AO3/4) - Simple Harmonic Motion
6.2

Thermal Physics (A2 only)

6.2.1Thermal Energy Transfer6.2.2Thermal Energy Transfer Experiments6.2.3Ideal Gases6.2.4Ideal Gases 26.2.5Boyle's Law & Charles' Law6.2.6Molecular Kinetic Theory Model6.2.7Molecular Kinetic Theory Model 26.2.8End of Topic Test - Thermal Energy & Ideal Gases6.2.9Exam-Style Question - Ideal Gases6.2.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - Material & Mass6.2.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - No Energy
7

Fields & Their Consequences (A2 only)

7.1

Fields (A2 only)

7.1.1Fields
7.2

Gravitational Fields (A2 only)

7.2.1Newton's Law7.2.2Gravitational Field Strength7.2.3Gravitational Potential7.2.4Orbits of Planets & Satellites7.2.5Escape Velocity & Synchronous Orbits7.2.6End of Topic Test - Gravitational Fields
7.3

Electric Fields (A2 only)

7.3.1Coulomb's Law7.3.2Electric Field Strength7.3.3Electric Field Strength 27.3.4Electric Potential7.3.5End of Topic Test - Electric Fields7.3.6A-A* (AO3/4) - Electric and Gravitational Field
7.4

Capacitance (A2 only)

7.4.1Capacitance7.4.2Parallel Plate Capacitor7.4.3Energy Stored by a Capacitor7.4.4Capacitor Discharge7.4.5Capacitor Charge
7.5

Magnetic Fields (A2 only)

7.5.1Magnetic Flux Density7.5.2End of Topic Test - Capacitance & Flux Density7.5.3Moving Charges in a Magnetic Field7.5.4Magnetic Flux & Flux Linkage7.5.5Electromagnetic Induction7.5.6Electromagnetic Induction 27.5.7Alternating Currents7.5.8Operation of a Transformer7.5.9Magnetic Flux Density7.5.10End of Topic Test - Electromagnetic Induction
8

Nuclear Physics (A2 only)

8.1

Radioactivity (A2 only)

8.1.1Rutherford Scattering8.1.2Alpha & Beta Radiation8.1.3Gamma Radiation8.1.4Radioactive Decay8.1.5Half Life8.1.6End of Topic Test - Radioactivity8.1.7Nuclear Instability8.1.8Nuclear Radius8.1.9Mass & Energy8.1.10Binding Energy8.1.11Induced Fission8.1.12Safety Aspects of Nuclear Reactors8.1.13End of Topic Test - Nuclear Physics8.1.14A-A* (AO3/4) - Nuclear Fusion
9

Option: Astrophysics (A2 only)

9.1

Telescopes (A2 only)

9.1.1Astronomical Telescopes9.1.2Reflecting Telescopes9.1.3Single Dish Radio Telescopes9.1.4Large Diameter Telescopes
9.2

Classification of Stars (A2 only)

9.2.1Classification by Luminosity9.2.2Absolute Magnitude9.2.3Black Body Radiation9.2.4Stellar Spectral Classes9.2.5Hertzsprung-Russell Diagrams9.2.6Astronomical Objects
9.3

Cosmology (A2 only)

9.3.1Doppler Effect9.3.2Hubble's Law9.3.3Quasars9.3.4Detecting Exoplanets
10

Option: Medical Physics (A2 only)

10.1

Physics of the Eye (A2 only)

10.1.1Physics of Vision10.1.2Defects of Vision10.1.3Lenses10.1.4Correcting Defects of Vision
10.2

Physics of the Ear (A2 only)

10.2.1Structure of the Ear10.2.2Sensitivity of the Ear10.2.3Hearing Defects
10.3

Biological Measurement (A2 only)

10.3.1Electrocardiography (ECG)
10.4

Non-Ionising Imaging (A2 only)

10.4.1Ultrasound Imaging10.4.2Ultrasound Imaging 210.4.3Fibre Optics & Endoscopy10.4.4Magnetic Resonance Scanning
10.5

X-Ray Imaging (A2 only)

10.5.1Diagnostic X-Rays10.5.2X-Ray Image Processing10.5.3Absorption of X-Rays10.5.4CT Scanners
10.6

Radionuclide Imaging & Therapy (A2 only)

10.6.1Imaging Techniques10.6.2Half Life10.6.3Gamma Camera10.6.4High Energy X-Rays10.6.5Radioactive Implants10.6.6Imaging Comparisons
11

Option: Engineering Physics (A2 only)

11.1

Rotational Dynamics (A2 only)

11.1.1Moment of Inertia11.1.2Rotational Kinetic Energy11.1.3Rotational Motion11.1.4Torque & Angular Acceleration11.1.5Angular Momentum11.1.6Angular Work & Power
11.2

Thermodynamics & Engines (A2 only)

11.2.1First Law of Thermodynamics11.2.2Non-Flow Processes11.2.3p-V Diagrams11.2.4Engine Cycles11.2.5Second Law & Engines11.2.6Reversed Heat Engines
12

Option: Turning Points in Physics (A2 only)

12.1

Discovery of the Electron (A2 only)

12.1.1Cathode Rays12.1.2Thermionic Electron Emission12.1.3Electron Specific Charge12.1.4Millikan's Experiment
12.2

Wave-Particle Duality (A2 only)

12.2.1Newton's & Huygen's Theories of Light12.2.2Electromagnetic Waves12.2.3Photoelectricity12.2.4Wave-Particle Duality12.2.5Electron Microscopes
12.3

Special Relativity (A2 only)

12.3.1Michelson-Morley Experiment12.3.2Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity12.3.3Time Dilation12.3.4Length Contraction12.3.5Mass & Energy

Practice questions on Nuclear Instability

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Atoms can decay through:Fill in the list
  2. 2
    What happens to an atom when an alpha particle is emitted?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    What happens when an atom decays through beta-minus radiation?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    What type of radiation will not change the mass number or the atomic number?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    Which of these statements are true about beta emission?True / false
Answer all questions on Nuclear Instability

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

End of Topic Test - Radioactivity

Nuclear Radius