Unit 4 - Lesson 12: Nuclear Equations

Question 1

What are the 4 types of radioactive decay you need to know about?

Answer 1

Alpha, beta, gamma and neutron decay

Question 2

In alpha decay, what happens to the atomic number and what happens to the mass number?

Answer 2

The atomic number decreases by 2.
The mass number decreases by 4.

Question 3

In beta decay, what happens to the atomic number and what happens to the mass number?

Answer 3

The atomic number increases by 1.
The mass number does not change.

Question 4

In gamma decay, what happens to the atomic number and what happens to the mass number?

Answer 4

The atomic number doesn’t change.
The mass number doesn’t change.

Question 5

In neutron decay, what happens to the atomic number and what happens to the mass number?

Answer 5

The atomic number doesn’t change.
The mass number decreases by 1.

Question 6

How do you balance nuclear equations?

Answer 6

Step 1: Balance atomic number.
Step 2: Balance mass number.
Step 3: Identify element (look at periodic table) by finding element with same atomic number, not mass number.

The overall charge and mass on both sides of the equation must remain the same.