GCSE Physics - Nuclear Decay Equations #34

The video tutorial explains the equations for alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. It describes how alpha particles, consisting of two protons and two neutrons, are represented and how they affect the atomic and mass numbers during decay. The tutorial also covers beta decay, where a neutron turns into a proton, increasing the atomic number, and gamma radiation, which involves energy emission without changing atomic or mass numbers. Neutron emission is briefly discussed, highlighting the subtraction of one from the mass number.

What happens to the atomic number of an element when it undergoes alpha decay?

• It increases by 1

• It remains the same

• It decreases by 2

• It increases by 2

In the alpha decay of radium-226, what is the resulting element?

• Helium

• Radon

• Thorium

• Uranium

During beta decay, what change occurs in the atomic number of the element?

• It increases by 1

• It decreases by 1

• It remains the same

• It decreases by 2

What is emitted during gamma radiation?

• An alpha particle

• A gamma ray

• A proton

• A neutron

What happens to the mass number during neutron emission?

• It increases by 1

• It decreases by 1

• It remains the same

• It increases by 2