Nuclear

Decay
Nuclear Decay
- occurs when the nucleus of
an atom is unstable and
spontaneously emits energy
in the form of radiation
- fission of the nucleus
Radiation
• the emission or
transmission of energy in
the form of waves or
particles through space
or through a material
medium
• High doses can damage
the DNA in our cells
Nuclear Notation
Mass Number

𝐴
Atomic Number 𝑍 𝑋
Element Symbol
Uranium - 238
238
92 𝑈
Thorium - 234
234
90𝑇ℎ
Types of Nuclear Decay
 Alpha Decay
•Nucleus releases / emits an alpha particle or
4 4
helium atom ( 2𝐻𝑒 , 2𝛼)

238 234 4
92 𝑈 → 90𝑇ℎ + 2𝐻𝑒
 Alpha Decay
•Nucleus releases / emits an alpha particle or
4 4
helium atom ( 2𝐻𝑒 + 2𝛼)

238 4 234
92 𝑈 → 2 𝐻𝑒 + 90𝑇ℎ
 Alpha Decay
•Nucleus releases / emits an alpha particle or
4 4
helium atom ( 2𝐻𝑒 + 2𝛼)

238 234 4
92𝑈 → 90𝑇ℎ + 2𝛼
 Beta Decay
•Nucleus releases / emits high energy electron or
0
a beta particle ( −1𝛽 )

16 16 0
6𝐶 → 7𝑁 + −1𝛽
 Gamma Decay
•Nucleus releases / emits a high energy photon or
0
a gamma particle ( 0𝛾 )

238 238 0
92𝑈 → 92𝑈 + 0𝛾
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