Nuclear Equations

Front

What is a nuclear equation?

Back

A nuclear equation represents a nuclear reaction, showing the transformation of atomic nuclei and the particles involved.

Front

What is an alpha particle?

Back

An alpha particle is a type of nuclear radiation consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, identical to a helium nucleus, represented as \( \text{ }^{4}_{2}\text{He} \).

Front

What is a beta particle?

Back

A beta particle is a high-energy, high-speed electron or positron emitted during radioactive decay, represented as \( \text{ }^{0}_{-1}e \) for electrons.

Front

What is gamma radiation?

Back

Gamma radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation emitted from a nucleus during radioactive decay, represented as \( \gamma \).

Front

What is the conservation of mass in nuclear reactions?

Back

In nuclear reactions, the total mass and energy are conserved, meaning the sum of the masses of the reactants equals the sum of the masses of the products.

Front

What is the difference between fission and fusion?

Back

Fission is the splitting of a heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei, releasing energy, while fusion is the combining of light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, also releasing energy.

Front

What is half-life?

Back

Half-life is the time required for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.

Front

How do you balance a nuclear equation?

Back

To balance a nuclear equation, ensure that the sum of the atomic numbers and the sum of the mass numbers are equal on both sides of the equation.

Front

What type of decay is represented by the emission of an alpha particle?

Back

Alpha decay is the process where an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, resulting in a new element with a lower atomic number.

Front

What type of decay is represented by the emission of a beta particle?

Back

Beta decay occurs when a neutron in an unstable nucleus transforms into a proton and emits a beta particle (electron), increasing the atomic number by one.