nuclear equations

• Nuclear equation


  Shows what's produced when a radioactive nucleus decays
• Alpha particle

  Has 2 protons and 2 neutrons, same as helium nucleus
• Alpha decay

  1. Radioactive element decays and releases an alpha particle

  2. Atomic number of product decreases by 2

  3. Mass number of product decreases by 4
• To work out atomic number and mass number of product in alpha decay:
• Beta decay

  Neutron changes to proton and electron is ejected from nucleus
• Beta decay

  1. Atomic number of product increases by 1

  2. Mass number of product does not change
• To work out atomic number and mass number of product in beta decay:
• Gamma decay

  Neither atomic number nor mass number change.

  immitted by an unstable nucleus.

  energy is lost in the nucleus.