Grade 10 · Science · Chemistry

10th grade Alpha, beta and gamma decay worksheet

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Alpha, beta and gamma decay

Grade 10 Science Worksheet

NameDate

Circle the best answer, or write your answer on the line.

Iodine has atomic number 53. One of its isotopes gives off a beta particle. What is the new atomic number, Ari?
Carbon has atomic number 6. One of its isotopes gives off a beta particle. What is the new atomic number, Bo?
Cobalt has atomic number 27. One of its isotopes gives off a beta particle. What is the new atomic number, Esme?
4.
Carbon-14 (6 protons) gives off a beta particle. What forms, Kira?
- Nitrogen-14, 7 protons
- Carbon-13, 6 protons
- Boron-14, 5 protons
5.
Radium-226 (88 protons) becomes radon-222 (86 protons). What is given off, Luz?
- A gamma ray
- An alpha particle
- A beta particle and a gamma ray
6.
A nucleus's mass number drops by 4 and its atomic number by 2. Which decay is it, Milo?
- Gamma
- Beta
- Alpha
7.
A nucleus's atomic number rises by 1 and its mass number stays the same. Which decay is it, Noah?
- Beta
- Gamma
- Alpha
8.
A nucleus gives off energy but keeps its mass and atomic numbers. Which decay is it, Pia?
- Alpha
- Gamma
- Beta
9.
What must add up to the same total on both sides of a nuclear equation, Ren?
- The number of molecules
- The colors of the substances
- Mass numbers and atomic numbers
10.
In beta decay, what happens inside the nucleus, Zee?
- Two protons leave the nucleus
- A neutron becomes a proton
- A proton becomes a neutron

Alpha, beta and gamma decay. Every version has 10 questions, and the answer key prints on the second page.

I can describe alpha (helium-4 nucleus), beta (electron) and gamma (energy) emissions.
I can apply the rules: alpha −4 and −2, beta +1 atomic number, gamma no change.
I can balance nuclear equations and follow a decay series.
I can tell a nuclear change (the nucleus changes) from a chemical change (bonds change).

Standard: HS-PS1-8

alpha particle: A helium-4 nucleus: 2 protons, 2 neutrons

beta particle: A fast electron made when a neutron becomes a proton

gamma ray: High-energy light from a nucleus

mass number: Protons + neutrons

atomic number: Protons; it names the element

Your child took away 2, the alpha particle's protons. An alpha particle has 4 nucleons (2 protons and 2 neutrons), so the mass number drops by 4.

Your child lowered the atomic number. In beta decay a neutron becomes a proton, so the atomic number goes up by 1.

Your child took mass away for the beta decays. A beta decay leaves the mass number the same; only alpha decays lower it, by 4 each.

What is the most common mistake with alpha, beta and gamma decay?

Your child took away 2, the alpha particle's protons. An alpha particle has 4 nucleons (2 protons and 2 neutrons), so the mass number drops by 4.

Are these 10th grade science worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions at each level are free to print, with the answer key, and no account is needed.

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