Make a Big Table (fill a page sideways)
Reaction Nuclear
Type
Change
Radiation
Products
Alpha
Decay
Beta
Decay
Fission
Fusion
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Notes
Use the following slides to complete the table.
notes that don’t fit the table should be put on
the next page.
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Table Notes: Alpha Decay
• Nuclear Change - the
nucleus ejects an alpha
particle.
• Radiation: Alpha Particle
= 2 protons and 2 neutrons
(no electrons).
What does the alpha particle look like?
• Nuclear symbol is
• Gamma radiation is also released.
• Gamma Radiation: High energy radiation (wave)
• Product: Losing 2 protons, the element changes into
the element 2 spaces left on the PT
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Table Notes: Beta Decay
• Nuclear Change: A
neutron splits, ejecting
a beta particle &
leaving a proton
behind.
• Radiation: No mass leaves the nucleus
Beta Particle = an electron
• Nuclear symbol is
• Gamma radiation also released
• Product: Gaining a proton, the element changes into
the element 1 space to its right on the PT. NO change in mass
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Table Notes
• Nuclear Fission: Splitting of a
nucleus into 2 smaller nuclei.
Occurs spontaneously or after
being hit by a neutron.
• Radiation: Neutrons, and
gamma rays, are released.
• Product: One larger nucleus
• Other notes: Nuclear Chain
Reaction: Neutrons ejected
from one fission reaction can
hit other nuclei, splitting them.
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Table Notes
• Nuclear Fusion
Reaction: 2 smaller
nuclei smash together
and form one larger
nucleus.
• One or more neutrons
are emitted.
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Radioactive Decay & Half-Life
• Half-Life: The time it takes for half of a parent
sample to decay to its daughter product.
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Practice
1. Draw an alpha particle. Label the parts.
2. Write the nuclear symbol for an alpha particle.
3. How does an element move on the PT during
alpha decay?
4. If a curium atom goes through alpha decay,
what does it become?
5. Write the isotope symbol for a beta particle.
6. How does an element move on the PT during
beta decay?
7. If a radioactive isotope of osmium goes through
beta decay, what does it become?
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