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ScienceAges 13-15

Alpha (α) & beta (β) nuclear decay

Balance nucleon (mass) number A and proton (atomic) number Z across alpha (α) and beta-minus (β⁻) radioactive decay equations. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Age band:Ages 13-15Ages 16-18

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 13-15

Alpha (α) & beta (β) nuclear decay

Take your time. Show your thinking.

  1. 1. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 227 and proton (atomic) number Z = 86. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 227, Z = 86 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  2. 2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 248 and proton (atomic) number Z = 96. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 248, Z = 96 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 214 and proton (atomic) number Z = 82. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 214, Z = 82 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 220 and proton (atomic) number Z = 85. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 220, Z = 85 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  5. 5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 219 and proton (atomic) number Z = 82. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 219, Z = 82 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  6. 6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 211 and proton (atomic) number Z = 83. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 211, Z = 83 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 235 and proton (atomic) number Z = 89. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 235, Z = 89 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 and proton (atomic) number Z = 93. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 237, Z = 93 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 228 and proton (atomic) number Z = 85. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 228, Z = 85 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 233 and proton (atomic) number Z = 88. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 233, Z = 88 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  11. 11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 232 and proton (atomic) number Z = 88. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 232, Z = 88 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 233 and proton (atomic) number Z = 87. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 233, Z = 87 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
12 questions · Seed 50 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
View the answer key
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 13-15

Alpha (α) & beta (β) nuclear decay

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

  1. 1. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 227 and proton (atomic) number Z = 86. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    227

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 227 and Z increases by 1 (86 + 1 = 87).

  2. 2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 248 and proton (atomic) number Z = 96. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    94

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (248 − 4 = 244) and Z decreases by 2 (96 − 2 = 94).

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 214 and proton (atomic) number Z = 82. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    80

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (214 − 4 = 210) and Z decreases by 2 (82 − 2 = 80).

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 220 and proton (atomic) number Z = 85. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    216

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (220 − 4 = 216) and Z decreases by 2 (85 − 2 = 83).

  5. 5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 219 and proton (atomic) number Z = 82. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    215

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (219 − 4 = 215) and Z decreases by 2 (82 − 2 = 80).

  6. 6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 211 and proton (atomic) number Z = 83. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    84

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 211 and Z increases by 1 (83 + 1 = 84).

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 235 and proton (atomic) number Z = 89. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    231

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (235 − 4 = 231) and Z decreases by 2 (89 − 2 = 87).

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 and proton (atomic) number Z = 93. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    91

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (237 − 4 = 233) and Z decreases by 2 (93 − 2 = 91).

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 228 and proton (atomic) number Z = 85. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    224

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (228 − 4 = 224) and Z decreases by 2 (85 − 2 = 83).

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 233 and proton (atomic) number Z = 88. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    89

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 233 and Z increases by 1 (88 + 1 = 89).

  11. 11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 232 and proton (atomic) number Z = 88. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    86

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (232 − 4 = 228) and Z decreases by 2 (88 − 2 = 86).

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 233 and proton (atomic) number Z = 87. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    233

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 233 and Z increases by 1 (87 + 1 = 88).

12 questions · Seed 50 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 13-15

Alpha (α) & beta (β) nuclear decay

Take your time. Show your thinking.

  1. 1. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 227 and proton (atomic) number Z = 86. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 227, Z = 86 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  2. 2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 248 and proton (atomic) number Z = 96. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 248, Z = 96 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 214 and proton (atomic) number Z = 82. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 214, Z = 82 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 220 and proton (atomic) number Z = 85. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 220, Z = 85 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  5. 5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 219 and proton (atomic) number Z = 82. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 219, Z = 82 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  6. 6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 211 and proton (atomic) number Z = 83. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 211, Z = 83 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 235 and proton (atomic) number Z = 89. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 235, Z = 89 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 and proton (atomic) number Z = 93. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 237, Z = 93 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 228 and proton (atomic) number Z = 85. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 228, Z = 85 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 233 and proton (atomic) number Z = 88. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 233, Z = 88 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  11. 11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 232 and proton (atomic) number Z = 88. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 232, Z = 88 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 233 and proton (atomic) number Z = 87. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 233, Z = 87 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
12 questions · Seed 50 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 13-15

Alpha (α) & beta (β) nuclear decay

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

  1. 1. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 227 and proton (atomic) number Z = 86. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    227

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 227 and Z increases by 1 (86 + 1 = 87).

  2. 2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 248 and proton (atomic) number Z = 96. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    94

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (248 − 4 = 244) and Z decreases by 2 (96 − 2 = 94).

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 214 and proton (atomic) number Z = 82. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    80

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (214 − 4 = 210) and Z decreases by 2 (82 − 2 = 80).

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 220 and proton (atomic) number Z = 85. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    216

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (220 − 4 = 216) and Z decreases by 2 (85 − 2 = 83).

  5. 5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 219 and proton (atomic) number Z = 82. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    215

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (219 − 4 = 215) and Z decreases by 2 (82 − 2 = 80).

  6. 6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 211 and proton (atomic) number Z = 83. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    84

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 211 and Z increases by 1 (83 + 1 = 84).

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 235 and proton (atomic) number Z = 89. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    231

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (235 − 4 = 231) and Z decreases by 2 (89 − 2 = 87).

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 and proton (atomic) number Z = 93. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    91

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (237 − 4 = 233) and Z decreases by 2 (93 − 2 = 91).

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 228 and proton (atomic) number Z = 85. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    224

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (228 − 4 = 224) and Z decreases by 2 (85 − 2 = 83).

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 233 and proton (atomic) number Z = 88. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    89

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 233 and Z increases by 1 (88 + 1 = 89).

  11. 11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 232 and proton (atomic) number Z = 88. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    86

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (232 − 4 = 228) and Z decreases by 2 (88 − 2 = 86).

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 233 and proton (atomic) number Z = 87. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    233

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 233 and Z increases by 1 (87 + 1 = 88).

12 questions · Seed 50 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification