Question detail
Which type of radiation is emitted as a helium nucleus?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Atoms and nuclear radiation
Question
- A. Beta radiation
- B. Gamma radiation
- C. Alpha radiation
- D. Neutron radiation
Answer
Alpha radiation
Explanation
Alpha radiation consists of helium nuclei, which contain two protons and two neutrons.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Radioactive Decay
Students often think that radioactive decay is a predictable process, believing they can determine exactly when a specific nucleus will decay.
Emphasize that radioactive decay is a random process, and while the half-life can be estimated for a large sample, the exact moment of decay for an individual nucleus cannot be predicted.
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