Nuclear equations

• What is the main focus of the study material?

  Nuclear radiation and nuclear equations
• How does a nucleus regain stability?

  By emitting alpha or beta particles and then gamma radiation
• What are the types of radioactive decay mentioned?

  • Alpha decay
  • Beta decay
  • Gamma radiation
• What happens to a nucleus during alpha decay?

  It changes the mass number by minus four and the atomic number by minus two
• What is an alpha particle equivalent to?

  A helium-4 nucleus
• How does beta decay affect the atomic number?

  It increases the atomic number by plus one
• What remains unchanged during beta decay?

  The mass number remains unchanged
• What is a beta particle?

  An electron
• What is gamma radiation described as?

  Pure energy that does not change the structure of the nucleus
• What nucleus does Uranium-238 become after emitting an alpha particle?

  Thorium-234
• What is the result of positron emission on the atomic number?

  It decreases the atomic number by one
• What happens to the mass number during neutron emission?

  The mass number reduces by one
• How does the emission of an alpha particle affect the nucleus of Radon-219?


  It transforms Radon-219 into Polonium-215
• What is the nuclear equation for the decay of Carbon-14?

  $^{14}_{6}C \rightarrow ^{14}_{7}N +$$^{0}_{-1}e$
• What are the key changes in nuclear equations during radioactive decay?

  • Alpha decay: Mass number -4, Atomic number -2
  • Beta decay: Atomic number +1, Mass number unchanged
  • Positron emission: Atomic number -1, Mass number unchanged
  • Neutron emission: Mass number -1, Atomic number unchanged