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A
Mass Number (found on periodic table). number of protons and neutrons in nucleus
Z
Atomic Number (number on bottom of isotope, but top on periodic table). Gives number of protons in nucleus.
N=A-Z
number of neutrons
Alpha Decay
emits alpha particles (2 protons and 2 neutrons, or helium-4 nucleus). common in heavy elements like uranium, thorium, radium
Alpha Decay causes
a decrease in atomic number by 2 and mass number by 4
Beta Decay
β-. neutron is transformed into a proton or an electron.
Beta Decay causes
an increase in atomic number by one, no mass number change
N:Z ratio is too high (neutron rich)
When does beta decay take place?
Positron Emission/Electron Caputre
β+. Proton is converted into a neutron or a positron
Positron Emission causes
a decrease in atomic number by one, but no change in mass number
N:Z ratio is too low (neutron-deficient)
When does positron decay take place?
Gamma Decay
no change in # of protons or neutrons, only energy state of nucleus changes
