Nuclear equations (AQA GCSE Physics Combined Science): Flashcards
📚Flashcards
Practise the cards
12 cards from this deck
ShowHide
Practise the cards
12 cards from this deck
What do nuclear equations show?
What do nuclear equations show?
Unstable atoms breaking down through radioactive decay
Three types of radiation from decay
Three types of radiation from decay
Alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays
What are alpha particles?
What are alpha particles?
Helium nuclei
What are beta particles?
What are beta particles?
High-speed electrons
What are gamma rays?
What are gamma rays?
Electromagnetic radiation (energy only)
Conservation rule in nuclear equations
Conservation rule in nuclear equations
Mass and charge must be conserved
Mass number change in alpha decay
Mass number change in alpha decay
Decreases by 4
Atomic number change in alpha decay
Atomic number change in alpha decay
Decreases by 2
Mass number change in beta decay
Mass number change in beta decay
No change (stays the same)
Atomic number change in beta decay
Atomic number change in beta decay
Increases by 1
What happens to a neutron in beta decay?
What happens to a neutron in beta decay?
Changes into a proton (and an electron is emitted)
Symbol for alpha particle
Symbol for alpha particle
or