NUCLEAR REACTIONS (2)

Nuclear Reactions (2)

Radioactive Decay

• An UNSTABLE NUCLEUS BECOMES MORE STABLE BY EMITTING an a, (alpha) or a b (beta) or by emitting y (gamma) RADIATION.
  

Alpha Emission

• when it emits an "a"particle: ATOMIC NUMBER (bottom one) goes DOWN by 2 and MASS NUMBER (top one) goes DOWN by 4.

• (If the question asks: "show the total number of protons after change" write the product answer first, then draw it from an arrow and write the reactants at the end)
  
• "The equation shows the total number of protons after the change is equal to the total…