Nuclear decay equations

• What happens during alpha decay

  Unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle which is 2 protons 2 neutrons
• How the mass number and atomic number change during alpha decay

  Mass number decreases by 4

  Atomic number decreases by 2
• What happens during beta decay

  A neutron decays into a proton and electron

  The electron is emitted from the nucleus as a beta particle
• How do the mass number and atomic number change during beta decay

  Mass number stays the same

  Atomic number increases by 1
• What happens during gamma decay

  High energy electromagnetic radiation (gamma ray) emitted from the nucleus

  This often happens alongside alpha or beta decay
• Do the mass number or atomic number of an unstable nucleus change during gamma decay

  No
• How else can alpha particles be written

  42He
• How can beta particles be displayed

  0

  e

  -1