P6.1.3 - Nuclear Equations

Question 1

Describe how alpha particles form.

Answer 1

Large nuclei decay. The nuclei contains a lot of protons and neutrons. Therefore, the protons and neutrons join to form an alpha particle

Question 2

When writing a nuclear decay equation, what must you ensure?

Answer 2

That the equation is balanced

Question 3

Describe beta decay.

Answer 3

A neutron decays to make an electron and proton. The mass does not change as a proton has a mass of 1 and the charge does not either as both a proton and electron have been formed

Question 4

Describe gamma decay.

Answer 4

Gamma decay does not affect the particles because it is an electromagnetic wave and does not affect the subatomic particles.

Question 5

Describe neutron emission.

Answer 5

Sometimes, unstable nuclei produce nuclei that can emit neutrons. The charge does not change because neutrons have no charge but the nuclei become more stable