Last questions I'll ask, I got the rest the rest :) And a quick thank you to Bob, you've helped me out a lot and even taught me some stuff I couldn't learn from school. You're amazing.
17 Which statement about the number of protons and neutrons in a nuclear change is correct?(1 point)
The relative numbers of protons and neutrons are the same before and after the change.
The total atomic mass before and after the change remains the same, but the total charge is different.
The total charge before and after the change remains the same, but the total atomic mass is different.
The relative numbers of protons and neutrons can differ before and after the change, but the total number of those particles remains the same.****
(If not D then C)
19 A nucleus decays to produce a nucleus with one additional proton. Which type of decay did the nucleus undergo?(1 point)
gamma decay
alpha decay
beta-minus decay****
beta-plus decay
(if not C then D)
20 Which type of decay is a form of nuclear fission?(1 point)
gamma decay
beta-minus decay****
alpha decay
beta-plus decay
(Pretty confident on this but still want to double check)
17.
I'm not sure how the term "relative number of protons and neutrons" is being used but I agree with your choice. I think C, your other possible choice definitely is not right.
19. Let's work this out logically.
92U238 ==> 93Np238 + -1e0
So if we start with 92U238 it goes to produce an element with "one additional proton" that means that element must be 93. that makes it Np238 and to make everthing add up on both sides we know that particle that was emitted has to have a -1 charge and a zero mass. That's a beta minus particle. You don't need to guess. See what happens IF 92U238 gives off a beta plus.
92U238 ==> 1e0 + 91Pa238 BUT this can't be right because it produced an element "with one LESS" .........
20.
I don't know what "a form of nuclear fission" means but I'll try to guess.
First, I don't agree with your choice.
Nuclear fission to me means you "split" an atom apart producing smaller pieces. You saw in question 19 that beta minus INCREASES the atomic number by 1. In my example of beta + I showed you that beta plus produces an element with 1 less proton which is a SMALLER number. I think that is whar "form of nuclear fission" must mean. I also think, if my understanding of "form of nuclear fission" is correct. is that alpha decay will qualify. For example:
92U238 ==> 2He4 + 90Th234
Personally I don't like that expression of "form of nuclear fission". We can't answer a question we don't understand.
Thanks for the compliment. I've been teaching for 74 years. Good luck. Be sure and let me know if I inadvertently make a mistake. Sometimes I read the quesion wrong or interpret it wrong. My eyesight is getting worse by the day, too, and that sometimes is a problem.
Well, thank you for the kind words! I'm here to help and bring some laughter along the way. Now, let's tackle those questions:
17. The correct statement about the number of protons and neutrons in a nuclear change is that the relative numbers of protons and neutrons can differ before and after the change, but the total number of those particles remains the same. So, the answer is D. You don't want protons and neutrons to feel left out, after all!
19. When a nucleus decays to produce a nucleus with one additional proton, it is undergoing beta-minus decay. So, the answer is C. Protons just can't resist showing off their extra pizzazz!
20. Ah, nuclear fission, the splitting of atoms, and all that jazz. When it comes to a form of nuclear fission, beta-minus decay doesn't quite cut it. The real star here is alpha decay. So, the answer is B. Just like in comedy, sometimes you need a big split to get those laughs!
17. The correct statement about the number of protons and neutrons in a nuclear change is: The relative numbers of protons and neutrons can differ before and after the change, but the total number of those particles remains the same.
19. If a nucleus decays to produce a nucleus with one additional proton, it undergoes beta-minus decay.
20. The type of decay that is a form of nuclear fission is: beta-minus decay.
17. The correct statement about the number of protons and neutrons in a nuclear change is: The relative numbers of protons and neutrons can differ before and after the change, but the total number of those particles remains the same.
To understand this concept, we need to look at the principles of nuclear changes. In a nuclear change, the nucleus of an atom undergoes transformations, such as radioactive decay or nuclear reactions. These changes involve the rearrangement of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
In option A, it states that the relative numbers of protons and neutrons are the same before and after the change. However, this is incorrect because nuclear changes can involve the conversion of a proton into a neutron or vice versa.
In option B, it mentions that the total atomic mass before and after the change remains the same, but the total charge is different. This is incorrect because the total atomic mass can change during certain nuclear reactions.
In option C, it states that the total charge before and after the change remains the same, but the total atomic mass is different. This is also incorrect because both the total charge and total atomic mass can change during nuclear reactions.
Option D is the correct answer because it acknowledges that the relative numbers of protons and neutrons can differ before and after the change, but the total number of those particles remains the same. This statement is consistent with the principles of nuclear changes.
19. The nucleus underwent beta-minus decay.
To determine the type of decay, we need to understand the different types of radioactive decay. Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a nucleus emits a beta particle. There are two variants of beta decay: beta-minus decay (β-) and beta-plus decay (β+).
In beta-minus decay, a neutron in the nucleus decays into a proton, emitting an electron (beta particle) and an antineutrino. This results in the nucleus having one additional proton, as mentioned in the question.
Therefore, option C (beta-minus decay) is the correct answer.
20. The type of decay that is a form of nuclear fission is not listed among the given options. Nuclear fission is a process where a heavy nucleus (typically uranium or plutonium) is split into two or more lighter nuclei, along with the release of a large amount of energy.
Among the options provided, gamma decay, beta-minus decay, alpha decay, and beta-plus decay are different types of radioactive decay involving the emission of particles or gamma rays.
Since none of the options match nuclear fission, the correct answer is not listed among the given options.