Question

1. Radioactivity and Half-Life: what convincing evidence is there that radioactivity is a nuclear effect and not an atomic effect (explain both expressions first)? How does the charge of a nucleus change with beta decay? How does the mass of a nucleus change with alpha decay? If uranium is radioactive and decays, why does it occur naturally on Earth?(5 pts)

Answer 1

radioactivity is a nuclear phenomenon in which an unstable nucleus under goes a decay process referred as radioactive decay.

Atoms become unstable due to large neutron to proton ratio. Such unstable nucleus emitted some radiations and convert in to some other stable nucleus and known as radioactive elements. These radiations are termed as radioactive rays. Generally these radiations consist some particles like alpha and beta particle in some time charge less gamma rays emitted.

the charge of a nucleus increase by 1 unit with beta decay

the mass of a nucleus decrease by 4 units with alpha decay

Uranium is very heavy and unstable atom so decays occurs naturally.