nuclear equations

• What do nuclear equations show?

  Radioactive decay
• Why is it important for mass and atomic numbers to balance in nuclear equations?

  To ensure conservation of mass and charge
• What is the correct symbolism for uranium-238?

  ²³⁸₉₂U
• What happens to the atomic number during alpha decay?

  It reduces by 2
• What is the composition of an alpha particle?

  Two protons and two neutrons
• How does alpha decay affect the mass number of an atom?

  It decreases by 4
• How is an alpha particle represented in nuclear equations?

  As ⁴₂He
• Write the nuclear equation for uranium-238 undergoing alpha decay.

  ²³⁸₉₂U → ²³⁴₉₀Th + ⁴₂He
• What occurs during beta decay?

  A neutron decays into a proton
• What is the effect of beta decay on the number of protons in the nucleus?

  It increases by 1
• How does beta decay affect the mass of the nucleus?

  The mass remains unchanged
• How is a beta particle represented in nuclear equations?

  As ⁰_-1e
• Write the nuclear equation for carbon-14 undergoing beta decay.

  ¹⁴₆C → ¹⁴₇N + ⁰_-1e
• What do gamma rays do to the nucleus?

  They remove excess energy
• How do gamma rays affect the atomic mass or atomic number?

  They cause no change
• How is gamma radiation represented in nuclear equations?

  As γ
• What are the key points about mass and atomic numbers in nuclear equations?

  • Mass numbers must balance
  • Atomic numbers must balance
  • Conservation of mass and charge is essential
• What type of radiation is emitted in the decay of ⁷₃Li?

  Radiation
• Write the nuclear equation for ²³⁸₉₂U decaying to polonium by emitting an alpha particle.

  ²³⁸₉₂U → ²³⁴₉₀Po + ⁴₂He