Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
A nuclear equation is a type of symbol equation used to show the changes which take place in a radioactive decay.
About Nuclear Equations
- Nuclear equations can be used to predict the products of a radioactive decay or a series of decays which take place one after the other.
- In nuclear equations the relative atomic mass and relative atomic charge accompany the symbols for the elements and the ionising radiation they produce.
General Formulae
Alpha Decay\[{}_Z^AX \rightarrow {}_{Z-2}^{A-4}Y + {}_2^4\alpha\]
Beta Decay\[{}_Z^AX \rightarrow {}_{Z+1}^{A}Y + {}_{-1}^0\beta\]
Gamma Emission\[{}_Z^AX \rightarrow {}_Z^AX + {}_0^0\gamma\]
Neutron Decay\[{}_Z^AX \rightarrow {}_{Z}^{A-1}Y + {}_0^1n\]
Examples
\({}_{238}^{92}U \rightarrow {}_{234}^{90}Th + {}_4^2\alpha\)
\({}_{238}^{92}U \rightarrow {}_{234}^{90}Th + {}_4^2\alpha\)