Writing Nuclear Equations for Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Decay

Vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions and nuclear decay rules for alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.

Nuclear Equation

A representation showing what is produced when a radioactive nucleus decays.

Alpha Particle

A particle containing $2$ protons and $2$ neutrons, equivalent to the nucleus of a helium atom, represented with an atomic number of $2$ and a mass number of $4$.

Alpha Decay

A form of radioactive decay where a nucleus releases an alpha particle, decreasing the atomic number by $2$ and the mass number by $4$.

Beta Particle

An electron ejected from the nucleus when a neutron changes into a proton and an electron during beta decay.

Beta Decay

A form of radioactive decay where a neutron changes to a proton and releases a beta particle, increasing the atomic number by $1$ while leaving the mass number unchanged.

Gamma Decay

A form of radioactive decay where both the atomic number and the mass number remain completely unchanged.

Americium

An element found in smoke detectors that undergoes alpha decay from an atomic number of $95$ and mass number of $241$ to form neptunium with atomic number $93$ and mass number $237$.

Radium Decay

The alpha decay process where radium with atomic number $88$ and mass number $226$ releases an alpha particle to form radon with atomic number $86$ and mass number $222$.

Aluminum Decay

The beta decay process where aluminum with atomic number $13$ and mass number $29$ releases a beta particle to form silicon with atomic number $14$ and mass number $29$.

Iodine Decay

The beta decay process where iodine with atomic number $53$ and mass number $131$ releases a beta particle to form xenon with atomic number $54$ and mass number $131$.