Nuclear Equations

• What do nuclear equations show?

  Radioactive decay and atomic changes
• How do nuclear equations represent radioactive decay?

  By using element symbols and decay products
• What must be balanced in nuclear equations?

  Mass and atomic numbers
• What is the golden rule for balancing nuclear equations?

  Total mass and atomic numbers must equal
• What happens to the charge and mass of the nucleus during alpha decay?

  Charge decreases and mass decreases
• What are alpha particles made of?

  Two protons and two neutrons
• What occurs when an alpha particle is emitted from a nucleus?

  Atomic number reduces by 2, mass by 4
• What is the nuclear equation for uranium-238 decay?

  $^{238}_{92}U \rightarrow ^{234}_{90}Th +$$^{4}_{2}He$
• What happens during beta decay?

  A neutron converts to a proton and electron
• How does beta decay affect the atomic number?

  Atomic number increases by 1
• What is the charge of a proton?

  Positive
• What is the effect of beta decay on the mass number?

  Mass number remains unchanged
• What is the nuclear equation for beta decay of carbon-14?

  $^{14}_{6}C \rightarrow ^{14}_{7}N +$$^{0}_{-1}e$
• What happens to the charge of the nucleus during beta decay?

  Charge increases due to proton gain
• How does the loss of a neutron affect the nucleus?

  It increases the positive charge of the nucleus
• What is the result of a neutron being converted into a proton during beta decay?

  It creates a beta particle
• What is the significance of the atomic number in nuclear equations?

  It determines the element's identity
• How does the atomic number change after beta decay?

  It increases by 1
• What is the charge of a neutron?

  Neutral
• What happens to the nucleus during beta decay?

  It transforms into a different element
• What is the relationship between protons and neutrons in a stable nucleus?

  They are balanced in number
• What is the effect of beta decay on the mass of the nucleus?

  No effect on mass
• What is the role of electrons in beta decay?

  Electrons are emitted as beta particles
• How does the emission of a beta particle affect the nucleus?

  It increases the atomic number
• What is the nuclear equation for the decay of thorium-234?

  $^{234}_{90}Th \rightarrow ^{234}_{91}Pa +$$^{0}_{-1}e$
• What is the significance of the mass number in nuclear equations?

  It indicates the total number of nucleons
• How does the mass number change during alpha decay?

  It decreases by 4
• What is the nuclear equation for the decay of uranium-238 to thorium-234?

  $^{238}_{92}U \rightarrow ^{234}_{90}Th +$$^{4}_{2}He$
• What is the effect of alpha decay on the atomic number?

  It decreases by 2
• How does the emission of an alpha particle affect the nucleus?

  It reduces both mass and charge
• What is the charge of an alpha particle?

  Positive
• What is the relationship between alpha decay and the stability of a nucleus?

  Alpha decay increases nuclear stability
• How does the emission of an alpha particle affect the element's identity?

  It changes the element to a different one
• What is the nuclear equation for the decay of radium-226?

  $^{226}_{88}Ra \rightarrow ^{222}_{86}Rn +$$^{4}_{2}He$
• What is the effect of alpha decay on the mass number of the nucleus?

  Mass number decreases by 4
• How does the emission of a beta particle affect the element's identity?

  It changes the element to a different one
• What is the nuclear equation for the decay of potassium-40?

  $^{40}_{19}K \rightarrow ^{40}_{18}Ar +$$^{0}_{-1}e$
• What is the significance of the decay process in nuclear physics?

  It helps understand nuclear stability and reactions
• How does the decay of radioactive isotopes contribute to scientific research?

  It provides insights into age dating and nuclear processes
• What is the nuclear equation for the decay of iodine-131?

  $^{131}_{53}I \rightarrow ^{131}_{54}Xe +$$^{0}_{-1}e$