Nuclear equations

What is a nuclear equation?

A nuclear equation represents the changes in the nucleus during radioactive decay, showing the particles emitted.

What is the general form of a nuclear equation?

It shows the reactants (unstable nucleus) and the products (decay products, such as an emitted particle).

What happens in alpha decay?

In alpha decay, an atom loses two protons and two neutrons, forming a new element.

What happens in beta decay?

In beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus decays into a proton and an electron (beta particle), and the atomic number increases by 1.

How is gamma radiation represented in a nuclear equation?

Gamma radiation is represented by γγ, with no change to the atomic number or mass number.

How does a nuclear equation for alpha decay look?

For example,9-2382U→9-234 0Th+α

How does a nuclear equation for beta decay look?

For example, 6-14C→7-14N+β−

What is the principle behind conservation of mass and charge in nuclear equations?

Mass and charge must be conserved, so the sum of atomic numbers and mass numbers on both sides must be equal.

What does the emission of an alpha particle do to the atomic number?

It decreases the atomic number by 2.

What does the emission of a beta particle do to the atomic number?

It increases the atomic number by 1.

Why is it important to balance nuclear equations?

Balancing ensures the law of conservation of mass and charge is respected.

How do you represent a neutron in a nuclear equation?

A neutron is represented by 0-1n.

What is the mass number of an atom after alpha decay?

The mass number decreases by 4 (2 protons and 2 neutrons are lost).

What is the mass number of an atom after beta decay?

The mass number remains unchanged.

What can you infer about a nucleus from its nuclear equation?

You can determine what type of radiation was emitted and how the nucleus transformed.