Decay Equations

Question 1

Writing Decay Equations

Answer 1

A decay equation shows the particles before a nuclear reaction on the left, and the particles after a nuclear reaction on the right.

• in decay equations, you use nuclear notation
• in alpha decay, an alpha particle appears on the right-hand side
• in beta positive decay, a beta positive particle and a neutrino appear on the right-hand side
• in beta negative, a beta negative particle and an antineutrino appear on the right hand-side
• sometimes you will see gamma shown on the right-hand side
• total mass number and atomic number on the left-hand side are equal to right-hand side

Question 2

Balancing Nuclear Equations

Answer 2

Balancing nuclear equations is making sure that the mass and atomic numbers are equal and using this information to fill any gaps in the equation.

• When you find the atomic number of a missing particle, you can use this info to find the type of particle on the periodic table.
• May need to recall the atomic and mass numbers of the different types of radiation and use this to infer the type of particle