Nuclear Equations
Mass and atomic numbers have to balance
Nuclear equations are a way of showing radioactive decay by using element symbols
They’re written in the form:atom before decay - atom after decay+radiation emitted
There is one golden rule to remember:
the total mass and atomic number must be equal on both sides
Alpha decay decreases the charge and mass of the nucleus
Remember, alpha particles are made up of two protons and two neutrons. So when an atom emits an alpha particles, its atomic number reduces by 2 and its mass number reduces by 4
A proton is positively charges and a neutron is neutral, so the charge of the nucleus decreases
In nuclear equations, an alpha particles can be written as a helium nucleus
Beta decay increases the charge of the of the nucleus
When beta decay occurs, a neutron in the nucleus turns into a proton and releases a fast-moving electron
The number of protons in the nucleus has increased by 1. This increases the positive charge of the nucleus
Because the nucleus has lost a neutron and gained a proton during beta decay, the mass of the nucleus doesn’t charge
A beta particle is written as 0/-1e in nuclear equations
Gamma rays don’t change the charge or mass of the nucleus
Gammas rays are a way of getting rid of excess energy from a nucleus
This means that there is no change to the atomic mass or atomic number of the atom
Nuclear Equations
Mass and atomic numbers have to balance
Nuclear equations are a way of showing radioactive decay by using element symbols
They’re written in the form:atom before decay - atom after decay+radiation emitted
There is one golden rule to remember:
the total mass and atomic number must be equal on both sides
Alpha decay decreases the charge and mass of the nucleus
Remember, alpha particles are made up of two protons and two neutrons. So when an atom emits an alpha particles, its atomic number reduces by 2 and its mass number reduces by 4
A proton is positively charges and a neutron is neutral, so the charge of the nucleus decreases
In nuclear equations, an alpha particles can be written as a helium nucleus
Beta decay increases the charge of the of the nucleus
When beta decay occurs, a neutron in the nucleus turns into a proton and releases a fast-moving electron
The number of protons in the nucleus has increased by 1. This increases the positive charge of the nucleus
Because the nucleus has lost a neutron and gained a proton during beta decay, the mass of the nucleus doesn’t charge
A beta particle is written as 0/-1e in nuclear equations
Gamma rays don’t change the charge or mass of the nucleus
Gammas rays are a way of getting rid of excess energy from a nucleus
This means that there is no change to the atomic mass or atomic number of the atom
