Nuclear Decay 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 or the Greek letter alpha
• What happens to uranium-238 during alpha decay?

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

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

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

  Thorium
• How do you verify the accuracy of a nuclear equation?

  Check mass and atomic numbers on both sides
• What is the atomic number of radium-226?

  88
• What is the decay product of radium-226 when it emits an alpha particle?

  Radon
• What occurs during beta decay?

  A neutron turns into a proton and emits an 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 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 plus a gamma ray
• What is the result of beryllium-9 decay?

  Beryllium-8 plus a neutron
• How does the mass number change during neutron emission?

  It decreases by one
• 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.
  • Gamma: Pure energy; no mass or charge; does not change elements.
• What steps are involved in writing a nuclear decay equation?

  1. Identify the initial element and its atomic/mass numbers.
  2. Determine the type of decay (alpha, beta, gamma).
  3. Calculate new atomic/mass numbers.
  4. Identify the resulting element using the periodic table.
  5. Ensure mass and atomic numbers balance in the equation.