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Examples of Radioactive Decay
Loss of a:
4 He
2
Beta particle
Mass number does not change
Atomic number increases by 1
Nuclear Reactions
0 e
1
239
93 Np
239
94 Pu +
0 e
1
This is roughly described as a neutron losing an electron and which forms a proton…hence, the increase in Z by 1 but no change in A
Alpha particle
Mass number decreases by 4
Atomic number decreases by 2
241
95 Am^23793 Np +^42 He
Mass number: 241 = 237 + 4 Atomic number: 95 = 93 + 2
ZX^
X = element symbol Z = atomic number A = mass number
A
Balancing Nuclear Reactions
- The chemical reactions we have studied involve the interactions ONLY of valence electrons between atoms
- NUCLEAR reactions literally involve additions or subtractions of protons and neutrons to the NUCLEUS of an atom and may also involve the interaction of electrons with the nucleus
- Nuclear reactions can change one element into another element
226 Ra
88
222 Rn
86
4 He
2
Atomic number: 88 = 86 + 2 Mass number: 226 = 222 + 4
BALANCING
A balanced nuclear reaction conserves the mass and atomic (proton) numbers. In other words, these values must be identical on both sides of the reaction
X
X = element symbol Z = atomic number A = mass number
Notice that the sum of A on the product side equals A on the reactant side
Notice that the sum of Z on the product side equals Z on the reactant side
A
Z
Practice
C
14
6
(^) N
14
7
84 Br 35
(^) e
0
N
14
7
p ^ +
1
1
He
4
2
(^) F
19
9
n^ +
1
0
0
