Name:

1. Define alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma ray.
   

2. What is the role of the neutron in both a controlled and uncontrolled chain reaction. Compare
    and contrast a controlled chain reaction to an uncontrolled chain reaction.
   

3. Why do positron emission and electron capture have the same effect on a nucleus?
   

4. The decay of uranium-238 results in the spontaneous ejection of an alpha particle. Write
    the nuclear equation for this process.
   

5. What type of radiation is emitted in the spontaneous decay of potassium-43 into
    calcium-43?
   

6. Write the nuclear reaction for the spontaneous decay of xenon-117 by positron emission.
   

7. The half-life of thorium-234 is 24.10 days. How many days until one-sixteenth of a 52.0 g
    sample remains?
   

8. The half-life of an isotope of radon is 3.8 days. If a sample contains 4.38 g of radon-222
    how much will remain after 15.2 days?
   

9. Determine the neutron to proton ratio for uranium-238 and determine what type of decay
    process the isotope will undergo in order to become stable.
   

10. Identify the type of decay process that is associated with the following particles:
     an electron
     an uncharged particle
     can be stopped by a piece of paper
     high energy photon