4.4.2.2 Nuclear equations
Nuclear equations are used to represent radioactive decay.
In a nuclear equation an alpha particle may be represented by the
symbol:
and a beta particle by the symbol:
The emission of the different types of nuclear radiation may cause a
change in the mass and /or the charge of the nucleus. For example:
So alpha decay causes both the mass and charge of the nucleus to
decrease.
So beta decay does not cause the mass of the nucleus to change
but does cause the charge of the nucleus to increase.
Students are not required to recall these two examples.
Students should be able to use the names and symbols of common
nuclei and particles to write balanced equations that show single
alpha (α) and beta (β) decay. This is limited to balancing the atomic
numbers and mass numbers. The identification of daughter
elements from such decays is not required.
The emission of a gamma ray does not cause the mass or the
charge of the nucleus to change.
includes past exam paper questions and answers
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