Small practice. Bright discoveries.Explore the free starter collection
worksheetstudio.
Sign in
Back to worksheets
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.

New variationTry interactive challengeBrowse templates
Age band:Ages 13-15Ages 16-18

Choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy. Use your browser’s paper setting for A4 or Letter.

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 = 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 = ?

  2. 2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 242 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 = 242, Z = 96 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 219 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 = 219, Z = 83 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 234 and proton (atomic) number Z = 87. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 234, Z = 87 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  5. 5. 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 = ?

  6. 6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 216 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 = 216, Z = 83 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 220 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 = 220, Z = 83 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 227 and proton (atomic) number Z = 85. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 227, Z = 85 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 and proton (atomic) number Z = 91. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 237, Z = 91 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 218 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 = 218, Z = 85 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  11. 11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 216 and proton (atomic) number Z = 86. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 216, Z = 86 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 236 and proton (atomic) number Z = 87. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 236, Z = 87 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
12 questions · Seed 42 · 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 = 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).

  2. 2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 242 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 (242 − 4 = 238) and Z decreases by 2 (96 − 2 = 94).

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 219 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.

    215

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (219 − 4 = 215) and Z decreases by 2 (83 − 2 = 81).

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 234 and proton (atomic) number Z = 87. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    85

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (234 − 4 = 230) and Z decreases by 2 (87 − 2 = 85).

  5. 5. 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).

  6. 6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 216 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.

    216

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 216 and Z increases by 1 (83 + 1 = 84).

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 220 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 220 and Z increases by 1 (83 + 1 = 84).

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 227 and proton (atomic) number Z = 85. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    83

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (227 − 4 = 223) and Z decreases by 2 (85 − 2 = 83).

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 and proton (atomic) number Z = 91. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    92

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 237 and Z increases by 1 (91 + 1 = 92).

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 218 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.

    218

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 218 and Z increases by 1 (85 + 1 = 86).

  11. 11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 216 and proton (atomic) number Z = 86. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    84

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (216 − 4 = 212) and Z decreases by 2 (86 − 2 = 84).

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 236 and proton (atomic) number Z = 87. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    85

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (236 − 4 = 232) and Z decreases by 2 (87 − 2 = 85).

12 questions · Seed 42 · 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 = 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 = ?

  2. 2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 242 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 = 242, Z = 96 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 219 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 = 219, Z = 83 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 234 and proton (atomic) number Z = 87. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 234, Z = 87 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  5. 5. 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 = ?

  6. 6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 216 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 = 216, Z = 83 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 220 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 = 220, Z = 83 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 227 and proton (atomic) number Z = 85. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 227, Z = 85 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 and proton (atomic) number Z = 91. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 237, Z = 91 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 218 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 = 218, Z = 85 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  11. 11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 216 and proton (atomic) number Z = 86. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 216, Z = 86 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 236 and proton (atomic) number Z = 87. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 236, Z = 87 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
12 questions · Seed 42 · 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 = 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).

  2. 2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 242 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 (242 − 4 = 238) and Z decreases by 2 (96 − 2 = 94).

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 219 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.

    215

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (219 − 4 = 215) and Z decreases by 2 (83 − 2 = 81).

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 234 and proton (atomic) number Z = 87. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    85

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (234 − 4 = 230) and Z decreases by 2 (87 − 2 = 85).

  5. 5. 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).

  6. 6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 216 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.

    216

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 216 and Z increases by 1 (83 + 1 = 84).

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 220 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 220 and Z increases by 1 (83 + 1 = 84).

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 227 and proton (atomic) number Z = 85. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    83

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (227 − 4 = 223) and Z decreases by 2 (85 − 2 = 83).

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 and proton (atomic) number Z = 91. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    92

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 237 and Z increases by 1 (91 + 1 = 92).

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 218 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.

    218

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 218 and Z increases by 1 (85 + 1 = 86).

  11. 11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 216 and proton (atomic) number Z = 86. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    84

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (216 − 4 = 212) and Z decreases by 2 (86 − 2 = 84).

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 236 and proton (atomic) number Z = 87. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    85

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (236 − 4 = 232) and Z decreases by 2 (87 − 2 = 85).

12 questions · Seed 42 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification