Nuclear equations (Edexcel GCSE Physics Combined Science): Flashcards
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13 cards from this deck
What determines which element an atom is?
What determines which element an atom is?
Number of protons
What does mass number represent?
What does mass number represent?
Total protons + neutrons in nucleus
What does atomic number represent?
What does atomic number represent?
Number of protons
What must stay constant in nuclear reactions?
What must stay constant in nuclear reactions?
Total mass number and atomic number
Particles lost in alpha decay
Particles lost in alpha decay
2 protons and 2 neutrons
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
What happens in beta-minus decay?
What happens in beta-minus decay?
Neutron turns into proton
Atomic number change in beta-minus decay
Atomic number change in beta-minus decay
Increases by 1
Mass number change in beta-minus decay
Mass number change in beta-minus decay
No change (stays the same)
What happens in beta-plus decay?
What happens in beta-plus decay?
Proton turns into neutron
Atomic number change in beta-plus decay
Atomic number change in beta-plus decay
Decreases by 1
Does gamma decay change the element?
Does gamma decay change the element?
No, mass & atomic numbers stay the same