The Nuclear “Dropout”
Name__________________________
Period________Date______________
1. What is the new chemical identity of the radium atom after it has emitted an alpha partile?
2. When the radium atom undergoes nuclear decay, how does the number of protons in the nucleus
change? How does the number of neutrons in the nucleus change?
3. Based on your answer to #2, describe the composition of an alpha particle:
4. An alpha particle is identical to the nucleus of another element in the periodic table, identify this
element:
5. What is an appropriate symbol for an alpha particle that incorporates your answers to #3 & #4 above?
6. Can you explain why an alpha particle is deflected away from a positively charged plate?
Nuclear Equation Practice Problems
1. Write the nuclear equation for the alpha decay of
2. Write the nuclear equation for the beta decay of
223
87
3. Write the nuclear equation for the alpha decay of
4. Write the nuclear equation for the beta decay of
231
91
Fr .
149
62
165
61
Pa .
Sm .
Pm .
5. Write the nuclear equation for the alpha decay of
249
101
6. Write the nuclear equation for the alpha decay of
146
62
7. Write the nuclear equation for the beta decay of
198
85
8. Write the nuclear equation for the alpha decay of
9. Write the nuclear equation for the beta decay of
10. Write the nuclear equation for the beta decay of
Sm .
At .
150
64
152
54
Md .
Gd .
Xe .
120
55
Cs .