chemistry nuclear equations

Alpha particle

A helium nucleus consisting of two protons and two neutrons, represented as $^{4}_{2}\text{He}$ or $^{4}_{2}\alpha$

• Example decay equation: $^{238}_{92}\text{U} \rightarrow ^{234}_{90}\text{Th} + ^{4}_{2}\text{He}$

Beta particle (beta-minus)

A high-energy, high-speed electron emitted during nuclear decay, represented as $^{0}_{-1}e$ or $^{0}_{-1}\beta$.

• Example decay equation: $^{14}_{6}\text{C} \rightarrow ^{14}_{7}\text{N} + ^{0}_{-1}e$

Positron (beta-plus particle)

The antiparticle of an electron with a positive charge, represented as $^{0}_{+1}e$ or $^{0}_{+1}\beta$.

• Example decay equation: $^{22}_{11}\text{Na} \rightarrow ^{22}_{10}\text{Ne} + ^{0}_{+1}e$

Proton (in nuclear equations)

A subatomic particle with a mass number of 1 and an atomic number of 1, represented as $^{1}_{1}p$ or $^{1}_{1}\text{H}$.

• Example nuclear reaction: $^{14}_{7}\text{N} + ^{4}_{2}\text{He} \rightarrow ^{17}_{8}\text{O} + ^{1}_{1}p$

Neutron (in nuclear equations)

A neutral subatomic particle with a mass number of 1 and zero electric charge, represented as $^{1}_{0}n$.

• Example nuclear fission equation: $^{235}_{92}\text{U} + ^{1}_{0}n \rightarrow ^{141}_{56}\text{Ba} + ^{92}_{36}\text{Kr} + 3^{1}_{0}n$

Gamma ray

High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from an excited nucleus with zero mass and zero charge, represented as $^{0}_{0}\gamma$ or simply $\gamma$.

• Example decay equation: $^{99m}_{43}\text{Tc} \rightarrow ^{99}_{43}\text{Tc} + ^{0}_{0}\gamma$