Nuclear Equations Flashcards
Atomic Structure (17 cards)
What are nuclear equations used for?
Showing radioactive decay using element symbols
Nuclear equations represent the transformation of atoms during decay processes.
How are nuclear equations typically structured?
Atom before decay -> Atom after decay + Radiation emitted
This structure illustrates the conservation of mass and atomic numbers during decay.
What is the golden rule of nuclear equations?
The total mass and atomic numbers must be equal on both sides
This rule ensures that mass and charge are conserved during nuclear reactions.
What particles make up an alpha particle?
Two protons and two neutrons
Alpha particles are identical to helium nuclei.
What happens to the atomic number during alpha decay?
It reduces by 2
This decrease occurs because the atom emits an alpha particle.
What happens to the mass number during alpha decay?
It reduces by 4
The mass number decreases due to the loss of two protons and two neutrons.
What is the charge of a proton?
Positively charged
Protons contribute to the overall positive charge of the nucleus.
What is the charge of a neutron?
Neutral
Neutrons do not affect the charge of the nucleus.
What is the notation for an alpha particle in nuclear equations?
4He
This notation represents the helium nucleus emitted during alpha decay.
What is the result of beta decay?
A neutron turns into a proton, increasing the atomic number by 1
This process results in the emission of a beta particle, which is a high-energy electron.
What happens to the mass of the nucleus during beta decay?
It doesn’t change
The number of protons and neutrons remains the same, as a neutron is converted into a proton.
What is the notation for a beta particle in nuclear equations?
e-
The beta particle represents the electron emitted during beta decay.
What is the role of gamma rays in nuclear decay?
To get rid of excess energy from a nucleus
Gamma rays do not affect the atomic mass or atomic number.
True or False: Gamma rays change the charge or mass of the nucleus.
False
Gamma radiation is a form of energy release without changing the atomic structure.
What is the nuclear equation for alpha decay of Uranium-238?
238U -> 234Th + 4He
This equation illustrates the transformation of Uranium-238 into Thorium-234 and the emission of an alpha particle.
What happens to the number of protons during beta decay?
Increases by 1
This increase reflects the conversion of a neutron into a proton.
Fill in the blank: During beta decay, the nucleus loses a neutron and gains a _______.
proton
This transformation alters the atomic number while keeping the mass number the same.
