Alpha, Beta and Gamma

Question 1

What is alpha?

Answer 1

2 protons and 2 neutrons (helium nucleus)

Question 2

How does alpha leave the nucleus?

Answer 2

With 2 less protons and two less neutrons.

Question 3

What is the equation for alpha decay?

Answer 3

A…. …4….A-4
X —-> He + W
Z……..2…..Z-2

Question 4

What is a beta?

Answer 4

An electron

Question 5

How does beta leave the nucleus?

Answer 5

With 1 less neutron and 1 more proton.

Question 6

What is the equation for beta decay?

Answer 6

A…………A…….0…..0-
X —-> W + e + v
Z….. …Z+1….-1…..0

Question 7

What is gamma?

Answer 7

A photon

Question 8

How does gamma leave the nucleus?

Answer 8

Left basically the same but has less thermal (kinetic) energy.

Question 9

What is the equation for gamma decay?

Answer 9

A……..A
X —-> X + gamma
Z……..Z

Question 10

What happens in alpha radiation?

Answer 10

The nucleus emits an alpha particle and forms a new nucleus. Only happens to large atoms (>82 protons)

Question 11

What happens in beta radiation?

Answer 11

The emission of an electron from the nucleus (and an anti-neutrino). A neutron changes into a proton, a beta particle is created and instantly emitted.

Question 12

What happens in gamma radiation?

Answer 12

Electromagnetic radiation is emitted by an unstable nucleus. It is emitted by a nucleus with too much energy, following alpha or beta emission.