Nuclear Equations

    Cards (14)

    • What is an alpha particle composed of?
      Two protons and two neutrons
    • How is an alpha particle represented in nuclear equations?
      Using the symbol for helium
    • What is the atomic number of an alpha particle?
      2
    • What does the mass number of an alpha particle indicate?
      It has 4 protons and neutrons combined
    • What happens to the atomic number during alpha decay?
      It decreases by 2
    • What happens to the mass number during alpha decay?
      It decreases by 4
    • What happens to a neutron during beta decay?
      It changes to a proton and an electron
    • What is a beta particle?
      An electron ejected from the nucleus
    • What happens to the atomic number during beta decay?
      It increases by 1
    • What happens to the mass number during beta decay?
      It does not change
    • What happens to both atomic number and mass number during gamma decay?
      They do not change
    • What are the rules for alpha decay?
      • Atomic number decreases by 2
      • Mass number decreases by 4
    • What are the rules for beta decay?
      • Atomic number increases by 1
      • Mass number does not change
    • What are the characteristics of gamma decay?
      • Atomic number does not change
      • Mass number does not change
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