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ScienceAges 16-18

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 16-18

Alpha (α) & beta (β) nuclear decay

Take your time. Show your thinking.

  1. 1. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 226 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 = 226, Z = 82 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  2. 2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 212 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 = 212, Z = 83 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 225 and proton (atomic) number Z = 89. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 225, Z = 89 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 238 and proton (atomic) number Z = 90. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 238, Z = 90 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  5. 5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 221 and proton (atomic) number Z = 84. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 221, Z = 84 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

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

    Parent: A = 211, Z = 83 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 223 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 = 223, Z = 83 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 250 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 250, Z = 94 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 227 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 = 227, Z = 87 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 242 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 242, Z = 94 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  11. 11. 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 proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 238, Z = 89 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 219 and proton (atomic) number Z = 83. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 219, Z = 83 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
12 questions · Seed 104733 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
View the answer key
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Alpha (α) & beta (β) nuclear decay

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

  1. 1. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 226 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 (226 − 4 = 222) and Z decreases by 2 (82 − 2 = 80).

  2. 2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 212 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 212 and Z increases by 1 (83 + 1 = 84).

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 225 and proton (atomic) number Z = 89. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    87

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (225 − 4 = 221) and Z decreases by 2 (89 − 2 = 87).

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 238 and proton (atomic) number Z = 90. 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 (90 − 2 = 88).

  5. 5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 221 and proton (atomic) number Z = 84. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    221

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 221 and Z increases by 1 (84 + 1 = 85).

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

    207

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (211 − 4 = 207) and Z decreases by 2 (83 − 2 = 81).

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 223 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 223 and Z increases by 1 (83 + 1 = 84).

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 250 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    246

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (250 − 4 = 246) and Z decreases by 2 (94 − 2 = 92).

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 227 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.

    223

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (227 − 4 = 223) and Z decreases by 2 (87 − 2 = 85).

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 242 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    92

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (242 − 4 = 238) and Z decreases by 2 (94 − 2 = 92).

  11. 11. 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 proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    87

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

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 219 and proton (atomic) number Z = 83. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    219

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 219 and Z increases by 1 (83 + 1 = 84).

12 questions · Seed 104733 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Alpha (α) & beta (β) nuclear decay

Take your time. Show your thinking.

  1. 1. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 226 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 = 226, Z = 82 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  2. 2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 212 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 = 212, Z = 83 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 225 and proton (atomic) number Z = 89. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 225, Z = 89 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 238 and proton (atomic) number Z = 90. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 238, Z = 90 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  5. 5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 221 and proton (atomic) number Z = 84. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 221, Z = 84 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

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

    Parent: A = 211, Z = 83 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 223 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 = 223, Z = 83 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 250 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 250, Z = 94 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 227 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 = 227, Z = 87 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 242 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 242, Z = 94 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  11. 11. 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 proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 238, Z = 89 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 219 and proton (atomic) number Z = 83. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 219, Z = 83 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
12 questions · Seed 104733 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Alpha (α) & beta (β) nuclear decay

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

  1. 1. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 226 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 (226 − 4 = 222) and Z decreases by 2 (82 − 2 = 80).

  2. 2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 212 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 212 and Z increases by 1 (83 + 1 = 84).

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 225 and proton (atomic) number Z = 89. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    87

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (225 − 4 = 221) and Z decreases by 2 (89 − 2 = 87).

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 238 and proton (atomic) number Z = 90. 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 (90 − 2 = 88).

  5. 5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 221 and proton (atomic) number Z = 84. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    221

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 221 and Z increases by 1 (84 + 1 = 85).

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

    207

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (211 − 4 = 207) and Z decreases by 2 (83 − 2 = 81).

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 223 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 223 and Z increases by 1 (83 + 1 = 84).

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 250 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    246

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (250 − 4 = 246) and Z decreases by 2 (94 − 2 = 92).

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 227 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.

    223

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (227 − 4 = 223) and Z decreases by 2 (87 − 2 = 85).

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 242 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    92

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (242 − 4 = 238) and Z decreases by 2 (94 − 2 = 92).

  11. 11. 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 proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    87

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

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 219 and proton (atomic) number Z = 83. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    219

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 219 and Z increases by 1 (83 + 1 = 84).

12 questions · Seed 104733 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification