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 $^{4}_{2}He$ 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 are the new mass and atomic numbers of uranium-238 after alpha decay?

  Mass number 234 and atomic number 90
• What element does uranium-238 become after alpha decay?

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

  By ensuring mass and atomic numbers are the same on both sides
• What would be the decay equation for radium-226?

  Radium-226 decays to radon and emits an alpha particle
• What happens to the atomic number of carbon-14 during beta decay?

  It increases from 6 to 7
• What does beta decay involve?

  A neutron turning into a proton and emitting a fast-moving electron
• What is the mass number of carbon-14?

  14
• What is the charge and mass of a beta particle?

  Charge of -1 and mass is nearly zero
• 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
• What is the result of beryllium-9 decay?

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

  The mass number decreases by one
• What are the key differences between alpha, beta, and gamma radiation?

  • Alpha radiation: Consists of two protons and two neutrons; positively charged; can be stopped by paper.
  • Beta radiation: Involves the conversion of a neutron to a proton; negatively charged; can penetrate paper but is stopped by aluminum.
  • Gamma radiation: Pure energy; no mass or charge; highly penetrating and requires dense materials for shielding.
• What is the process for writing a nuclear decay equation?

  1. Identify the initial element and its atomic and mass numbers.
  2. Determine the type of decay and the resulting element.
  3. Adjust the atomic and mass numbers accordingly.
  4. Ensure mass and atomic numbers are balanced on both sides.
• What are the implications of beta decay on the atomic structure of an element?

  • Increases atomic number by 1
  • Mass number remains unchanged
  • Changes the element to the next one in the periodic table