Nuclear Equations for Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Radiation

Alpha Radiation

• Alpha Particles

  • Consist of 2 protons and 2 neutrons (like Helium nucleus)
  • Represented as Helium (^4_2He) or (\alpha)

• Alpha Decay Example: Uranium-238

  • Uranium-238 emits (\alpha) particle
  • Loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons
  • New mass number: 238 - 4 = 234
  • New atomic number: 92 - 2 = 90 (Thorium)
  • Equation: (^{238}{92}U \rightarrow ~^{234}{90}Th + ^{4}_{2}He)

• Practice Question: Radium-226

  • Radium-226 (atomic number 88) decays
  • New mass number: 226 - 4 = 222
  • New atomic number: 88 - 2 = 86 (Radon)
  • Equation: (^{226}{88}Ra \rightarrow ~^{222}{86}Rn + ^{4}_{2}He)

Beta Radiation

• Beta Particles

  • Fast-moving electrons emitted during beta decay
  • Neutron turns into proton, emitting electron ((\beta))

• Beta Decay Example: Carbon-14

  • Carbon-14 emits (\beta) particle
  • Gains a proton: atomic number increases from 6 to 7 (Nitrogen)
  • Mass number remains the same (14)
  • Equation: (^{14}{6}C \rightarrow ~^{14}{7}N + \beta)

Gamma Radiation

• Gamma Rays

  • Pure energy, no mass or charge
  • Doesn’t change atomic or mass number

• Gamma Decay Example: Thorium-234

  • Thorium-234 emits (\gamma) ray
  • Remains Thorium-234
  • Equation: (^{234}{90}Th \rightarrow ~^{234}{90}Th + \gamma)

Neutron Emission

• Neutron Emission Example: Beryllium-9
  • Beryllium-9 emits neutron
  • New mass number: 9 - 1 = 8
  • Equation: (^{9}{4}Be \rightarrow ~^{8}{4}Be + ^{1}{0}n)

Summary

• Alpha decay: loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons
• Beta decay: neutron turns into proton, emits electron
• Gamma decay: emits energy, no change in atomic or mass number
• Neutron emission: loses one neutron

Note: Always cross-check periodic table for new elements after decay.