Nuclear Chemistry
Alpha Particles
• A helium nucleus
• Contains:
• 2 protons
• 2 neutrons
• Notation:
4 He
2
Beta Particles
• A fast moving electron
• (negatively charged particle)
• formed by decomposition of a neutron.
• Notation: 0
e
-1
1n
0
1 p 0
+ e
1
-1
Gamma Ray
• They are high- energy electromagnetic waves
• NO mass
• NO electrical charge
• Notation:
0γ
0
Ray
Radioactive Particle
Particles
Symbol Composition Charge
Alpha, α
4
He
2
0
Beta, β
Gamma, γ
-1
e
0γ
0
2 protons
2 neutrons
Penetrating
Power
2+
Low
electron
1-
100 times
greater than
that of alpha
electromagnetic
waves
0
Very great
Nuclear Equations
• Nuclear equations are balanced when the sum of the atomic
numbers and mass numbers are equal on both sides of the
equation.
Nuclear Equations
Mass numbers: 234 + 4 = 238
238
92
U
234
4
Th +
He
90
2
Atomic numbers: 90 + 2 = 92
Example #1
14
6
C
14
7
14 = 14 + ?
6 = 7 + ?
0
e
-1
N
+
0
-1
?
Example #2
230
Th
90
4
2
He +
230 = 4 + 0 + ?
90 = 2 + 0 + ?
226
Ra
88
0
0
γ + ?
226
88
Example #3
Example #4
• The radioisotope lead-210 undergoes beta decay. Write a
balanced equation for this reaction.
Example #4
Lead – 210  ? + beta particle
210
82
Pb
210
0
Bi + e
-1
83
Example #5
• The radioisotope bismuth-210 undergoes alpha decay.
Write a balanced equation for this reaction.
Example #5
bismuth – 210  ? + alpha particle
210
83
Bi
206
4
Tl + He
2
81