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 $^{4}_{2}$
• 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 after alpha decay?

  Radon
• What occurs during beta decay?

  A neutron turns into a proton
• What happens to the atomic number during beta decay?

  It increases by one
• What is emitted during beta decay?

  A fast-moving electron
• What is the mass number of carbon-14?

  $14$
• What element does carbon-14 become after beta decay?

  Nitrogen
• How is a beta particle represented in equations?

  With a minus one charge
• What is gamma radiation?

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

  It remains thorium-234
• What is the result of neutron emission from beryllium-9?

  Beryllium-8 plus a neutron
• What is the change in mass number during neutron emission from beryllium-9?

  $8$
• What are the steps for writing an alpha decay equation?

  1. Identify the initial element.
  2. Draw an arrow to the decay product and alpha particle.
  3. Subtract 4 from the mass number.
  4. Subtract 2 from the atomic number.
  5. Identify the new element using the periodic table.
  6. Ensure mass and atomic numbers balance.
• What are the steps for writing a beta decay equation?

  1. Identify the initial element.
  2. Draw an arrow to the decay product and beta particle.
  3. Increase the atomic number by 1.
  4. Keep the mass number the same.
  5. Identify the new element using the periodic table.
• What are the characteristics of gamma radiation?

  • Pure energy
  • No mass
  • No charge
  • Does not change elements
• What are the characteristics of neutron emission?

  • Loss of one neutron
  • Mass number decreases by 1
  • Element remains the same