ANSWER KEY
Nuclear Decay
The following atoms all undergo alpha particle emission. Write the complete nuclear equation.
210
84
238
92
238
90
222
86
Po → alpha particle + Pb-206
→ alpha particle
+ Th-234
Th → alpha particle
+ Ra-234
Rn → alpha particle
+ Po-218
U
The following atoms all undergo beta decay. Write the complete nuclear equation.
14
6
90
38
40
19
C
→ beta particle (e-) + N-14
Sr → beta particle (e-) + Y-90
K → beta particle (e-) + Ca-40
13
N → beta particle (e-) + O-13
7
The following all undergo electron capture. Write the complete nuclear equation.
106
47
116
50
190
78
123
53
Ag + electron (e-) → Pd-106
Sn + electron (e-) → In-116
Pt + electron (e-) → Ir-190
I
+ electron (e-) → Te-123
ANSWER KEY
The following all undergo positron emission. Write the complete nuclear equation.
116
50
61
29
30
16
85
38
Sn → positron (e+) + In-116
Cu
→ positron (e+) + Ni-61
S
→ positron (e+) + P-30
Sr
→ positron (e+) + Rb-85
Complete the missing information in the reactions. Then, label the reaction one of the following:
 Alpha Decay
 Electron Capture
 Beta Decay
 Positron Emission
C-6 →
238
92
15
8
15
7
N +
234
U →
O →
32
14
90
15
7
47
Type: beta decay
e
N + positron (e+)
0
1
244
Pu →
0
1
4
2
e +
40
20
Type: alpha decay
Type: positron decay
Type: beta decay
e
Ag + electron (e-) →
Sc-40 →
94
1
Th + alpha particle
P → S-32 +
105
0
Ca
He + U-244
105
46
Pd
Type: electron capture
Type: positron decay
Type: alpha decay