Learning objectives

• To recall the model of atom

• To know the nuclear representation of a
nuclide
• To know the term isotope
• To know the equations of decay processes
and identify the decay raditions
• To balance the equations

1
 A simple model of atom
Atom consists of nucleus, containing protons and
neutrons.
Electrons move around the nucleus in a cloud.

2
 Size of atom

Compare the size of Nucleus to the size of

atom

3
 Nuclear representation

A
Nucleon number
z
X
Charge

48 12
Example N
22 6
C
4
 Isotopes
Same proton number but
different nucleon number
12 13 14

6
C C
6 6
C
1 2 3
H
1 1
H 1
H

Isotopes have same chemical properties, since

they have same proton/electron number.

They have different nuclear properties

 Radioactive decay
• Radioactive decay is a random event
• The unstable nuclei in some materials will break up, or
disintegrate.
• It is impossible to predict exactly which nuclei will
decay.
• This disintegration of the nuclei is called radioactive
decay.
• When a nucleus decays it becomes more stable, but the
loss of protons and neutrons makes it a different
element.
• The original nucleus is called the parent nucleus.
• The nucleus formed is known as the daughter nucleus.
• Both are called the decay products.
 Alpha decay
α-decay causes one element to change into another

Nucleon number and

charge number
always conserve
during decay
process.

The new one the

daughter nuclide.
The original nuclide
is called the parent
This process is
nuclide
sometimes called
transmutation.
 Beta decay
Beta decay occurs due to the inbalance of proton
and neutrons in nucleus.
There are two types of Beta decay. Beta positive
and beta negative.

Beta negative: 14 14 0
Neutron decay to
6
C 7
N +β
-1
Remember:
proton with the Nucleon number
and charge
emission of β-
number always
conserved during
48 48 0 decay process.
Beta positive:
Proton decays to 23
V N + β
22 1
Neutron with the
emission of β+
8
 Checkpoint
192
192 0
77 + -1e

Remember:
Nucleon number
232 0 and charge
Th + e number always
90 -1 conserved during
decay process.

232 4

90
Th Ra + α 2

9
 Checkpoint
A radioactive atom can undergo series of alpha and beta decay to
finally reach to end product, a lead (PB) nucleus. Find below the
decay of U-238