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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 = 237 and proton (atomic) number Z = 95. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 237, Z = 95 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  2. 2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 and proton (atomic) number Z = 93. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 230, Z = 93 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 and proton (atomic) number Z = 84. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 230, Z = 84 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 223 and proton (atomic) number Z = 89. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 223, Z = 89 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  5. 5. 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 nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

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

  6. 6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 238 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 = 238, Z = 89 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 247 and proton (atomic) number Z = 96. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 247, Z = 96 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 220 and proton (atomic) number Z = 87. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 220, Z = 87 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 246, Z = 94 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 210 and proton (atomic) number Z = 83. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 210, Z = 83 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  11. 11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 243 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 243, Z = 94 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 226 and proton (atomic) number Z = 85. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 226, Z = 85 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
12 questions · Seed 51 · 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 = 237 and proton (atomic) number Z = 95. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    233

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (237 − 4 = 233) and Z decreases by 2 (95 − 2 = 93).

  2. 2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 and proton (atomic) number Z = 93. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    226

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (230 − 4 = 226) and Z decreases by 2 (93 − 2 = 91).

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 and proton (atomic) number Z = 84. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    82

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (230 − 4 = 226) and Z decreases by 2 (84 − 2 = 82).

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 223 and proton (atomic) number Z = 89. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    223

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 223 and Z increases by 1 (89 + 1 = 90).

  5. 5. 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 nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    228

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

  6. 6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 238 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.

    234

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (238 − 4 = 234) and Z decreases by 2 (89 − 2 = 87).

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 247 and proton (atomic) number Z = 96. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    97

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 247 and Z increases by 1 (96 + 1 = 97).

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 220 and proton (atomic) number Z = 87. 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 (87 − 2 = 85).

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    95

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 246 and Z increases by 1 (94 + 1 = 95).

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 210 and proton (atomic) number Z = 83. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    81

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (210 − 4 = 206) and Z decreases by 2 (83 − 2 = 81).

  11. 11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 243 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    95

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 243 and Z increases by 1 (94 + 1 = 95).

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 226 and proton (atomic) number Z = 85. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    226

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 226 and Z increases by 1 (85 + 1 = 86).

12 questions · Seed 51 · 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 = 237 and proton (atomic) number Z = 95. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 237, Z = 95 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  2. 2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 and proton (atomic) number Z = 93. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 230, Z = 93 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 and proton (atomic) number Z = 84. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 230, Z = 84 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 223 and proton (atomic) number Z = 89. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 223, Z = 89 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  5. 5. 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 nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

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

  6. 6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 238 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 = 238, Z = 89 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 247 and proton (atomic) number Z = 96. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 247, Z = 96 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 220 and proton (atomic) number Z = 87. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 220, Z = 87 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 246, Z = 94 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 210 and proton (atomic) number Z = 83. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 210, Z = 83 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  11. 11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 243 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 243, Z = 94 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 226 and proton (atomic) number Z = 85. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 226, Z = 85 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
12 questions · Seed 51 · 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 = 237 and proton (atomic) number Z = 95. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    233

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (237 − 4 = 233) and Z decreases by 2 (95 − 2 = 93).

  2. 2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 and proton (atomic) number Z = 93. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    226

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (230 − 4 = 226) and Z decreases by 2 (93 − 2 = 91).

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 and proton (atomic) number Z = 84. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    82

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (230 − 4 = 226) and Z decreases by 2 (84 − 2 = 82).

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 223 and proton (atomic) number Z = 89. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    223

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 223 and Z increases by 1 (89 + 1 = 90).

  5. 5. 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 nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    228

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

  6. 6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 238 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.

    234

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (238 − 4 = 234) and Z decreases by 2 (89 − 2 = 87).

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 247 and proton (atomic) number Z = 96. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    97

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 247 and Z increases by 1 (96 + 1 = 97).

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 220 and proton (atomic) number Z = 87. 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 (87 − 2 = 85).

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    95

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 246 and Z increases by 1 (94 + 1 = 95).

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 210 and proton (atomic) number Z = 83. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    81

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (210 − 4 = 206) and Z decreases by 2 (83 − 2 = 81).

  11. 11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 243 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    95

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 243 and Z increases by 1 (94 + 1 = 95).

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 226 and proton (atomic) number Z = 85. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    226

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 226 and Z increases by 1 (85 + 1 = 86).

12 questions · Seed 51 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification