Alpha, Beta and Gamma Flashcards
What is alpha?
2 protons and 2 neutrons (helium nucleus)
How does alpha leave the nucleus?
With 2 less protons and two less neutrons.
What is the equation for alpha decay?
A…. …4….A-4
X —-> He + W
Z……..2…..Z-2
What is a beta?
An electron
How does beta leave the nucleus?
With 1 less neutron and 1 more proton.
What is the equation for beta decay?
A…………A…….0…..0-
X —-> W + e + v
Z….. …Z+1….-1…..0
What is gamma?
A photon
How does gamma leave the nucleus?
Left basically the same but has less thermal (kinetic) energy.
What is the equation for gamma decay?
A……..A
X —-> X + gamma
Z……..Z
What happens in alpha radiation?
The nucleus emits an alpha particle and forms a new nucleus. Only happens to large atoms (>82 protons)
What happens in beta radiation?
The emission of an electron from the nucleus (and an anti-neutrino). A neutron changes into a proton, a beta particle is created and instantly emitted.
What happens in gamma radiation?
Electromagnetic radiation is emitted by an unstable nucleus. It is emitted by a nucleus with too much energy, following alpha or beta emission.
