Nuclear Equations: Alpha, Beta, Gamma Radiation, and Neutron Emission

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms, particles, and processes involved in alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, as well as neutron emission.

Alpha particle

A particle emitted during alpha decay that consists of two protons and two neutrons, identical to the nucleus of a helium atom, and represented as helium-$4$ ($^4_2\text{He}$) or by the Greek letter alpha ($\alpha$).

Alpha decay

A form of radioactive decay in which an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, resulting in a decrease of $4$ in the mass number and a decrease of $2$ in the atomic number.

Beta particle

A fast-moving electron emitted from the nucleus during beta decay, represented by the Greek letter beta ($\beta$) or an electron symbol with a mass of $0$ at the top and a charge of $-1$ at the bottom.

Beta decay

A type of nuclear decay where a neutron turns into a proton and emits a beta particle, causing the atomic number to increase by $1$ while the total mass number stays the same.

Gamma radiation

A form of pure energy emitted as a gamma ray (represented by the Greek letter $\gamma$) that possesses neither mass nor charge and causes no change to the mass number or atomic number of the emitting nucleus.

Neutron emission

A decay process in which an unstable nucleus expels a single neutron, resulting in the mass number decreasing by $1$ while the atomic number remains unchanged.