ICP 9/25/12 Nuclear Decay Equations

Warmup 1)What composes an alpha particle? 2)What composes a beta particle? 3)What is gamma radiation?

Agenda Finish Notes (Alpha/Beta Examples) Worksheet (Balancing Nuclear Equations Practice) Homework: Finish “Balancing Nuclear Equations Practice”

X A Z Y A - 4 Z He 4 2 Alpha Decay (Don’t Copy) unstable atom more stable atom alpha particle

Alpha Decay (Don’t Copy) Ra Rn He 4 2

X A Z Y A - 4 Z He 4 2 Ra Rn He 4 2 Alpha Decay General Format Example A

Rn He Po He 4 2 Rn ___ He 4 2 Alpha Decay Example B Example B

He 4 2 U Th He 4 2 ___ + Th He 4 2 Alpha Decay Example C Example C

Th ___ He 4 2 Alpha Decay He Ra He 4 2 Th Example D Example D

___ + Pb He 4 2 Alpha Decay He Pb He 4 2 Po Example E Example E

Beta Decay A beta particle is a fast moving electron which is emitted from the nucleus of an atom undergoing radioactive decay. Beta decay occurs when a neutron changes into a proton and an electron.

Beta Decay As a result of beta decay, the nucleus has one less neutron, but one extra proton. The atomic number, Z, increases by 1 and the mass number, A, stays the same.

Beta Decay Po e 0 At

X A Z Y A Z e 0 Beta Decay Po Rn e 0 General Format Example A

Th ____ + e 0 Beta Decay Th Pa e 0 Example B Example B

___ Pb e 0 Beta Decay Tl Pb e 0 Example C Example C

Bi ___ + e 0 Beta Decay Bi Po e 0 Example D Example D

___ Bi e 0 Beta Decay Pb Bi e 0 Example E Example E