Author Question: Compare and contrast the three common types of radioactive decay: alpha particle decay, beta ... (Read 236 times)

burton19126 · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

Compare and contrast the three common types of radioactive decay: alpha particle decay, beta particle decay, electron capture. Your answer should include how the atomic mass and the atomic number of the isotope have changed.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

One method of geologic dating is dendrochronology, or the science of tree ring dating. Based on what you know about tree rings, how could you determine the age of the tree? Would this be an example of relative dating or numerical dating?

What will be an ideal response?

abro1885 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: Alpha decay - An alpha particle of 2 protons and 2 neutrons is emitted from the nucleus. The atomic mass decreases by 4 and the atomic number by 2.
Beta decay - An electron is given off from a nucleus, which does not change the atomic mass because the mass of an electron is negligible. Because the electron comes from a neutron, there is now an extra proton in the nucleus, which increases the atomic number by 1.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: You can date the tree by counting the rings. (Most tree species produce an annual ring.) This would be an example of numerical dating.