Nuclear equations

Question 1

When radioactive nuclei disintegrate (decay) what do the changes of nuclei depend on?

Answer 1

When radioactive nuclei disintegrate (decay), the changes that take place in the nuclei depend on the type of radiation emitted.

Question 2

Why do we write a nuclear equation and what does it show?

Answer 2

To show an atom undergoes nuclear decay we write a nuclear equation. This shows the symbol, mass number and atomic number. In balanced nuclear equations, the total mass number on the left hand side of the equation is equal to the total mass number on the right hand side of the equation. The same is true of the atomic number.

Question 3

What happens to the nuclear equation when a nucleus emits an alpha particle?

Answer 3

When a nucleus emits an alpha particle its atomic number will decrease by 2 and mass number decrease by 4.

Question 4

What happens to the nuclear equation when a nucleus emits a beta particle?

Answer 4

When a nucleus emits a beta particle its atomic number will increase by 1 and the mass number will remain the same.

Question 5

What happens to the nuclear equation when a nucleus emits a gamma ray?

Answer 5

When a nucleus emits a gamma ray there is no change to the atomic or mass number of the nucleus.