4 Balancing Nuclear Equations

Front

What is alpha decay?

Back

Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (2 protons and 2 neutrons), resulting in a new element with a lower atomic number.

Front

What is a beta particle?

Back

A beta particle is a high-energy, high-speed electron or positron emitted during the radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus.

Front

How does alpha decay affect the atomic number and mass number of an element?

Back

In alpha decay, the atomic number decreases by 2 and the mass number decreases by 4.

Front

What is the general form of an alpha decay equation?

Back

The general form of an alpha decay equation is: A_ZX → A-4_Z-2Y + 4_2He, where A is the mass number and Z is the atomic number.

Front

What is beta decay?

Back

Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle is emitted from an atomic nucleus, resulting in a change in the atomic number of the element.

Front

How does beta decay affect the atomic number and mass number of an element?

Back

In beta decay, the atomic number increases by 1 while the mass number remains unchanged.

Front

What is the general form of a beta decay equation?

Back

The general form of a beta decay equation is: A_ZX → A_Z+1Y + 0_-1e, where A is the mass number and Z is the atomic number.

Front

What is the significance of the helium nucleus in alpha decay?

Back

The helium nucleus, or alpha particle, is significant because it is the particle emitted during alpha decay, representing a loss of 2 protons and 2 neutrons from the original nucleus.

Front

What is the relationship between alpha decay and the stability of an atomic nucleus?

Back

Alpha decay often occurs in heavy elements as a means to achieve greater stability by reducing the size of the nucleus.

Front

What is the role of conservation laws in nuclear reactions?

Back

In nuclear reactions, conservation laws such as conservation of mass-energy and conservation of charge must be upheld, meaning the total mass and charge before and after the reaction must be equal.