Question
equations of
Beta radiation
b
Gamma radiation
c
Alpha radiation
Beta radiation
b
Gamma radiation
c
Alpha radiation
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Certainly! Below are the equations representing the emission of different types of radiation: alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.
### Alpha Radiation
Alpha particles (⁴₂He or \( \alpha \)) consist of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. Their emission results in the loss of 2 protons and 2 neutrons from the nucleus of an atom.
**Decay Equation:**
\[
^{A}_{Z}X \rightarrow ^{A-4}_{Z-2}Y + \,^{4}_{2}\alpha
\]
- \(X\) is the parent nucleus.
- \(Y\) is the daughter nucleus.
- \(A\) is the atomic mass number and \(Z\) is the atomic number.
### Beta Radiation
Beta particles can be either beta-minus (β⁻) or beta-plus (β⁺) radiation.
1. **Beta-minus (β⁻) Radiation**
In beta-minus decay, a neutron is converted into a proton, emitting a beta particle (an electron) and an antineutrino.
**Decay Equation:**
\[
^{A}_{Z}X \rightarrow ^{A}_{Z+1}Y + \,^{0}_{-1}\beta + \bar{\nu}
\]
- Here, \( \bar{\nu} \) is the antineutrino.
2. **Beta-plus (β⁺) Radiation**
In beta-plus decay, a proton is converted into a neutron, emitting a positron and a neutrino.
**Decay Equation:**
\[
^{A}_{Z}X \rightarrow ^{A}_{Z-1}Y + \,^{0}_{+1}\beta + \nu
\]
- Here, \( \nu \) is the neutrino.
### Gamma Radiation
Gamma radiation (γ) is electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus, usually following alpha or beta decay, often to release excess energy from the nucleus.
**Decay Equation:**
\[
^{A}_{Z}X^* \rightarrow ^{A}_{Z}X + \,^{0}_{0}\gamma
\]
- Here, \(X^*\) is the excited state of the nucleus before gamma decay.
In summary:
- Alpha decay reduces both the atomic number and the mass number.
- Beta decay changes the atomic number while keeping the mass number the same.
- Gamma decay does not change either the atomic number or mass number but removes energy from the nucleus.
### Alpha Radiation
Alpha particles (⁴₂He or \( \alpha \)) consist of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. Their emission results in the loss of 2 protons and 2 neutrons from the nucleus of an atom.
**Decay Equation:**
\[
^{A}_{Z}X \rightarrow ^{A-4}_{Z-2}Y + \,^{4}_{2}\alpha
\]
- \(X\) is the parent nucleus.
- \(Y\) is the daughter nucleus.
- \(A\) is the atomic mass number and \(Z\) is the atomic number.
### Beta Radiation
Beta particles can be either beta-minus (β⁻) or beta-plus (β⁺) radiation.
1. **Beta-minus (β⁻) Radiation**
In beta-minus decay, a neutron is converted into a proton, emitting a beta particle (an electron) and an antineutrino.
**Decay Equation:**
\[
^{A}_{Z}X \rightarrow ^{A}_{Z+1}Y + \,^{0}_{-1}\beta + \bar{\nu}
\]
- Here, \( \bar{\nu} \) is the antineutrino.
2. **Beta-plus (β⁺) Radiation**
In beta-plus decay, a proton is converted into a neutron, emitting a positron and a neutrino.
**Decay Equation:**
\[
^{A}_{Z}X \rightarrow ^{A}_{Z-1}Y + \,^{0}_{+1}\beta + \nu
\]
- Here, \( \nu \) is the neutrino.
### Gamma Radiation
Gamma radiation (γ) is electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus, usually following alpha or beta decay, often to release excess energy from the nucleus.
**Decay Equation:**
\[
^{A}_{Z}X^* \rightarrow ^{A}_{Z}X + \,^{0}_{0}\gamma
\]
- Here, \(X^*\) is the excited state of the nucleus before gamma decay.
In summary:
- Alpha decay reduces both the atomic number and the mass number.
- Beta decay changes the atomic number while keeping the mass number the same.
- Gamma decay does not change either the atomic number or mass number but removes energy from the nucleus.