nuclear radiation Ch. 16

radioisotope

isotope that emits radiation

radioactive

unstable nucleus

unstable nucleus releases what to become more stable

radiation

alpha particle

4/2 He, nuclear particle equivalent to helium nucleus, symbol alpha, charge of +2

beta particle

0/-1 e, identical to an electron, symbol beta, charge is -1, formed when a neutron in an unstable nucleus changes to a proton

positron

+1 charge, symbol B+, produced by an unstable nucleus when a proton transforms into a proton and a neutron

gamma rays

released when an unstable nucleus undergoes a rearrangement of its particles to give a more stable/ lower energy nucleus, 0/0 gamma symbol

radioactive decay

nucleus breaks down by emitting radiation

alpha decay

when an unstable nucleus releases alpha particles, mass number decreases by 4, atomic number decreases by 2

beta decay

process where unstable nucleus emits beta particles, mass number stays the same, atomic number increases by 1

positron emission

proton in an unstable nucleus that turns into a neutron and positron, mass number stays the same, atomic number decreases by 1

gamma emission

by emitting energy in gamma rays, nucleus becomes more stable, nothing changes in mass or atomic number