Nuclear Equations (Edexcel GCSE Physics)

Revision Note

Test yourself
Ashika

Author

Ashika

Last updated

Did this video help you?

Nuclear Equations

Use given data to balance nuclear equations in terms of mass and charge

  • Nuclear radioactive decay equations show the changes in mass and charge of the nuclei in the decay
  • Each term will have the chemical symbol of the element or the type of radiation

AZX Notation, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Nuclear notation

  • The top number A represents the nucleon number or the mass number
    • Nucleon number (A) = total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus

  • The lower number Z represents the proton or atomic number
    • Proton number (Z) = total number of protons in the nucleus

  • Nuclear equations, just like chemical equations, balance:
    • The sum of the nucleon (mass) numbers on the left of each equation should equal the sum on the right
    • The sum of the proton (atomic) numbers should also balance on the left and right

  • The parent nucleus is the nucleus that decays
    • Subsequently, the daughter nucleus remaining after the decay

Alpha Decay Equation

  • In nuclear equations representing alpha decay:
    • The nucleon number of the daughter nucleus is 4 less than the parent
    • The proton number of the daughter nucleus is 2 less than the parent

Alpha decay equation

Beta Minus Decay Equation

  • In nuclear equations representing beta minus decay:
    • The nucleon number of the daughter nucleus is the same as the parent
    • The proton number of the daughter nucleus is 1 more than the parent

Beta-minus decay equation

Beta Plus Decay Equation

  • In nuclear equations representing beta plus decay:
    • The nucleon number of the daughter nucleus is the same as the parent
    • The proton number of the daughter nucleus is 1 less than the parent

GCSE Beta Plus Equation, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

Beta-plus decay equation

Gamma Decay Equation

  • In nuclear equations representing gamma decay:
    • The nucleon number of the daughter nucleus is the same as the parent
    • The proton number of the daughter nucleus is the same as the parent

Gamma decay equation

Worked example

WE - Alpha beta gamma particles question image, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

ANSWER:     D

Worked example - alpha beta gamma particles (2), downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

You've read 0 of your 10 free revision notes

Unlock more, it's free!

Join the 100,000+ Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

Did this page help you?

Ashika

Author: Ashika

Expertise: Physics Project Lead

Ashika graduated with a first-class Physics degree from Manchester University and, having worked as a software engineer, focused on Physics education, creating engaging content to help students across all levels. Now an experienced GCSE and A Level Physics and Maths tutor, Ashika helps to grow and improve our Physics resources.