What is a balanced nuclear decay equation?
Table of Contents
What is a balanced nuclear decay equation?
A balanced nuclear equation is one where the sum of the mass numbers (the top number in notation) and the sum of the atomic numbers balance on either side of an equation. Instead of using the full equations, in many situations a compact notation is used to describe nuclear reactions.
How is the alpha particle written in a nuclear equation?
For example, an alpha particle (helium nucleus) is represented by the symbol \begin{align*}\mathrm{^4_2 He}\end{align*}, where He is the chemical symbol for helium, the subscript 2 is the number of protons, and the superscript 4 is the mass number (2 protons + 2 neutrons).
What is the symbol for a positron?
Summary of Nuclear Radiation
| Type | Symbol | Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Beta particle | e−01 or β | 1− |
| Positron | e01 or β+ | 1+ |
| Gamma ray | γ or 00γ | 0 |
| Neutron | n10 | 0 |
How do you write a beta particle?
Beta particles (β) are high energy, high speed electrons (β-) or positrons (β+) that are ejected from the nucleus by some radionuclides during a form of radioactive decay called beta-decay. Beta-decay normally occurs in nuclei that have too many neutrons to achieve stability.
What is alpha decay example?
A well-known example of alpha decay is the decay of uranium 23892U 92 238 U to thorium 23490Th 90 234 Th with the emission of a helium nucleus 42He 2 4 He .
What happens to the mass number during beta decay?
1) A neutron inside the nucleus of an atom breaks down, changing into a proton. 2) It emits an electron and an antineutrino (more on this later), both of which go zooming off into space. 3) The atomic number goes UP by one and mass number remains unchanged. Example #1:A beta decay equation: 614C 714N −1 0e νe—
What is alpha decay and how does it work?
Alpha decay can most simply be described like this: 1 The nucleus of an atom splits into two parts. 2 One of these parts (the alpha particle) goes zooming off into space. 3 The nucleus left behind has its atomic number reduced by 2 and its mass number reduced by 4 (that is, by 2 protons and 2 neutrons).
What is the superscript of X in the equation for alpha decay?
The superscript of X must be 208 – 4 = 204. The subscript of X must be 84 – 2 = 82. Element 82 is Pb. So the equation is Here is a video that describes how to write equations for alpha decay.
How do you write the Order of the nuclides that decay?
1) The nuclide that decays is the one on the left-hand side of the equation. 2) The order of the nuclides on the right-hand side can be in any order. 3) The way it is written above is the usual way. 4) The mass number and atomic number of the antineutrino are zero and are, in modern usage, not written.