Nuclear Equations and Radiation

Types of Radiation

• Alpha Radiation:

  • Consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons (Helium nucleus, He-4-2)
  • Often represented by the Greek letter alpha (α)
  • When an unstable nucleus (e.g., Uranium-238) undergoes alpha decay:
    • Loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons
    • Mass number decreases by 4
    • Atomic number decreases by 2
    • Example: Uranium-238 decays into Thorium-234 and emits an alpha particle
  • For Radium-226 with an atomic number of 88:
    • Subtract 4 from mass number (226) to get 222
    • Subtract 2 from atomic number (88) to get 86
    • Decay product is Radon (Rn)

• Beta Radiation:

  • Involves a neutron turning into a proton and a fast-moving electron (beta particle)
  • When beta decay occurs (e.g., Carbon-14):
    • Atomic number increases by 1 (e.g., Carbon-14 to Nitrogen-14)
    • Mass number remains unchanged
    • Represented by a beta symbol with -1 at the bottom (charge) and 0 at the top (mass)

• Gamma Radiation:

  • Pure energy, no mass or charge
  • Does not change the atomic or mass numbers of the element
  • Example: Thorium-234 undergoing gamma decay remains Thorium-234 and emits a gamma ray

• Neutron Emission:

  • Example: Beryllium-9 decays into Beryllium-8 plus a neutron
  • Mass number decreases by 1 due to loss of a neutron

Summary

• Understanding the changes in atomic and mass numbers is essential for writing nuclear equations.
• Alpha particles reduce both atomic and mass numbers.
• Beta particles increase the atomic number without affecting the mass.
• Gamma rays do not affect the atomic structure.
• Neutron emission involves a decrease in mass number without changing the element.

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