For α-decay, unstable atom emits an α-particle, this can also apply to β-decay. To distinguish α-decay and β-decay, here is a number of characteristic of each of the decay: relative charge, relative mass, nature, range, material to stop, deflection in electric field and magnetic field.
As an example, Bismuth can decay into Thallium and Polonium by emitting α- and β-particle respectively.
For α-decay of Bismuth:
For β-decay of Bismuth:
The example above can show α-particle is Helium particle while β-particle is electron.
Radioactive decay is different from fission reaction.
Fission reactions differ from radioactive decay both in the way that the reaction must be started and in the type of products that are formed [1]. Radioactive decay is a passive action, while fission is active. For radioactive decay, the atom is unstable; while the nuclei in the process of fission absorb a neutron, then oscillate to become unstable. Moreover, the product of radioactive decay is only an atom of other element; while the products of fission are 3 neutrons and 2 different elements.
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Quality of writing
References are given which is good but this should ideally be linked to each section of text. The grammar, punctuation and spelling are all done to a high level. Format is okay, but clearer subheadings would be good to identify each section.
Level of analysis
Decay is compared in an easy to read table which is good. The decay examples used are also good because they show an example of decay in action. A diagram would have been easier to follow. Radioactive decay should not have been compared to fission in a table as it makes the different properties hard to read as the rows do not match up into a common theme. Fusion is explained well with the aid of a few diagrams, it is also related to modern use with a diagram which is good to link to how fusion provides energy.
Response to question
The candidate should have included an introduction about what they are going to look at because they launch into different properties and its hard to see what the relevance of this is from the start. The candidate answers the question well, outlining fusion and relating it to the use of how it can be used in power stations. It also compares to fission, with well used diagrams.