4/17/22, 12:30 PM B15.

3 – Radioactive Decay – IGCSE AID

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B15.3 – Radioactive Decay

1. State the meaning of radioactive decay.

When a nucleus is unstable, it will disintegrate (break up). This shoots out tiny particles and a burst of energy.
These materials are radioactive, so the breaking up of the nucleus is called radioactive decay. Each unstable
nucleus changes into an isotope of a different element after radioactive decay.

2. Use equations (involving words or symbols) to represent changes in the composition of the
nucleus when particles are emitted.

When a nucleus emits an alpha (α) particle, it loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons. This is denoted by the symbol
4 α. 4 denotes the total number of nucleons (protons and neutrons) emitted and 2 denotes the number of
2
protons emitted. Example:

The radon isotope with 219 nucleons and 86 protons has given out an alpha particle of 4 nucleons and 2
protons to become an isotope of Polonium with a nucleon  number of 215 and proton number of 84. (You can
find out what element’s isotope it becomes by looking at which element has a proton number that is two times
lesser than the original element, in the periodic table).

When a nucleus emits a beta (β) particle, an electron are emitted and a neutron in the nucleus changes into a
proton. This is denoted by the symbol 0-1β. 0 denotes that there is no emission of any nucleon. -1 denotes the
electron emitted (as well as the proton gained instead of emitted). Example:

The Carbon isotope with 14 nucleons and 6 protons has given out a beta particle of 1 electron to become an
isotope of Nitrogen with 14 nucleons and 7 protons. (You can find out the new element formed by looking at the
periodic table to find out which element has a proton number that is one greater than the original element)

When a nucleus emits gamma (γ) radiation, the number of protons and neutrons remains the same; no
changes occur.

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4/17/22, 12:30 PM B15.3 – Radioactive Decay – IGCSE AID

Notes submitted by Lintha

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