Name _______________________________
Date _____________________
Nuclear Equations Worksheet
1. Using your notes, fill out the following table for the 3 types of decay/emission:
Type of Decay
Consists of
2 protons and 2 neutrons
Electron
High-energy
electromagnetic radiation
α (He)
β
γ
Mass (amu)
Symbol
2. Thorium-232, named after the Norse god of thunder, is radioactive and undergoes alpha decay.
What is the resulting product?
A
232
4
90Th → Z ? + 2He
*Note: A represents unknown mass number, and Z represents unknown atomic number
Mass Number:
____
=
____
+
____
Atomic Number:
____
=
____
+
____
Product:
3. Some isotopes of iodine are used in positron emission tomography (PET) scans as a diagnostic
tool for the human body. When Iodine-135 undergoes beta decay, what is the resulting
product?
Mass Number:
Atomic Number:
Product:
135
53I
→
A
Z?
+
0
−1𝛽𝛽
4. Americium-241, an alpha emitter, is used in smoke detectors. When smoke enters the
ionization chamber, it absorbs the alpha particles emitted by Americium-241 and detects a
change in current, setting off the alarm. Write the equation for the alpha decay of Americium241.
5. Carbon-14 is a naturally-occurring radioisotope of carbon. Radiocarbon dating is a scientific
process in which the age of a deceased organism can be determined by measuring the amount
of Carbon-14 present. Write the equation for the beta decay of Carbon-14.
6. Uranium-238, the most common isotope of uranium, is non-fissile, meaning it cannot be used in
nuclear reactors and bombs. However, it undergoes simultaneous (at the same time) alpha and
gamma emission (decay), emitting 2 different energies of gamma radiation and forming
Thorium-234. Write the equation for the alpha and gamma emission of Uranium-238.
7. Fill in the missing particles or isotopes in the following equations, and then choose 2 of the
equations. Write a description, like in the previous problems, of what is occurring.
a.
b.
129
53I
→ ____ +
216
86Rn
0
−1𝛽𝛽
→ ____ + 42𝛼𝛼
c.
____ →
239
97Bk
d.
____ →
52
23V
+
+ 42𝛼𝛼
0
−1𝛽𝛽
e.
f.
g.
h.
255
104Rf
85
35Br
257
101Md
i.e. For a, Iodine-129 is undergoing beta decay to form ___________ .
Description 2: Problem letter ___
0
→ ____ + 85
36Kr + 0𝛾𝛾
____ →
Write 2 descriptions of the above equations:
Description 1: Problem letter ___
→ ____ + 42He
32
16S
+
0
−1𝛽𝛽
+ 00𝛾𝛾
→ ____ + 42𝛼𝛼 + 42𝛼𝛼