nuclear equations

• What are the three types of radiation discussed in the video?

  Alpha, beta, and gamma radiation
• What do alpha particles consist of?

  Two protons and two neutrons
• How are alpha particles generally represented?

  As helium-4 $^{4}_{2}\text{He}$ or the Greek letter alpha
• What happens to an unstable nucleus like uranium-238 during alpha decay?

  It loses two protons and two neutrons
• What is the new mass number of uranium-238 after it undergoes alpha decay?

  234
• What is the new atomic number of uranium-238 after it undergoes alpha decay?

  90
• What element does uranium-238 become after alpha decay?

  Thorium
• How would you write the equation for the alpha decay of radium-226?

  Radium-226 decays to radon and emits a helium nucleus
• What is the mass number of the decay product when radium-226 undergoes alpha decay?

  222
• What is the atomic number of the decay product when radium-226 undergoes alpha decay?

  86
• What element does radium-226 become after alpha decay?

  Radon
• What occurs during beta decay?

  A neutron turns into a proton and emits a fast-moving electron
• What happens to the atomic number of carbon-14 during beta decay?

  It increases from 6 to 7
• What element does carbon-14 become after beta decay?

  Nitrogen
• How is a beta particle represented in nuclear equations?

  With a minus one charge and zero mass
• What is gamma radiation?

  Pure energy with no mass or charge
• What happens to thorium-234 during gamma decay?

  It remains thorium-234 and emits a gamma ray
• How are neutron emissions represented in nuclear equations?

  By showing the original element minus one neutron
• What is the decay product of beryllium-9 when it emits a neutron?

  Beryllium-8
• What is the change in mass number when beryllium-9 emits a neutron?

  It decreases by 1
• What are the key differences between alpha, beta, and gamma radiation?

  • Alpha: Consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons; loses mass and atomic number.
  • Beta: Neutron converts to proton; atomic number increases; mass number remains the same.
  • Gamma: Pure energy; no mass or charge; does not change the element.
• How do you ensure the mass and atomic numbers are balanced in nuclear equations?

  • Check that the total mass number on both sides is equal.
  • Check that the total atomic number on both sides is equal.