nuclear equations

• Alpha decay


  Emission of an alpha particle (two protons and two neutrons)
• Alpha decay


  • Changes the mass number of the element by -4
  • Changes the atomic number by -2
• Beta decay


  Emission of a beta particle (an electron)
• Beta decay


  • Changes the atomic number by +1
  • Mass number remains unchanged
• Gamma radiation is pure energy and will not change the structure of the nucleus in any way
• Uranium 238 decay


  1. Emits an alpha particle

  2. Becomes thorium 234
• Element number 90 on the periodic table is thorium, \(_{90}^{234}\textrm{Th}\)