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 = 211 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 = 211, Z = 83 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  2. 2. 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 = ?

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 221 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 = 221, Z = 82 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 226 and proton (atomic) number Z = 90. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 226, Z = 90 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  5. 5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 244 and proton (atomic) number Z = 93. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 244, Z = 93 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  6. 6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 229 and proton (atomic) number Z = 88. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 229, Z = 88 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 236 and proton (atomic) number Z = 90. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 236, Z = 90 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 232 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 = 232, Z = 89 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 249 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 249, Z = 94 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 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 = 237, Z = 89 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  11. 11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 222 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 = 222, Z = 83 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 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 = 230, Z = 90 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
12 questions · Seed 44 · 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 = 211 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 (211 − 4 = 207) and Z decreases by 2 (83 − 2 = 81).

  2. 2. 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).

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 221 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.

    217

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (221 − 4 = 217) and Z decreases by 2 (82 − 2 = 80).

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 226 and proton (atomic) number Z = 90. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    91

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 226 and Z increases by 1 (90 + 1 = 91).

  5. 5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 244 and proton (atomic) number Z = 93. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    94

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 244 and Z increases by 1 (93 + 1 = 94).

  6. 6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 229 and proton (atomic) number Z = 88. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    229

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 229 and Z increases by 1 (88 + 1 = 89).

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 236 and proton (atomic) number Z = 90. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    88

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (236 − 4 = 232) and Z decreases by 2 (90 − 2 = 88).

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 232 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.

    228

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (232 − 4 = 228) and Z decreases by 2 (89 − 2 = 87).

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 249 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    249

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 249 and Z increases by 1 (94 + 1 = 95).

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 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 (237 − 4 = 233) and Z decreases by 2 (89 − 2 = 87).

  11. 11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 222 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.

    218

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (222 − 4 = 218) and Z decreases by 2 (83 − 2 = 81).

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 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.

    226

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (230 − 4 = 226) and Z decreases by 2 (90 − 2 = 88).

12 questions · Seed 44 · 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 = 211 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 = 211, Z = 83 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  2. 2. 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 = ?

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 221 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 = 221, Z = 82 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 226 and proton (atomic) number Z = 90. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 226, Z = 90 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  5. 5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 244 and proton (atomic) number Z = 93. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 244, Z = 93 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  6. 6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 229 and proton (atomic) number Z = 88. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 229, Z = 88 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 236 and proton (atomic) number Z = 90. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 236, Z = 90 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 232 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 = 232, Z = 89 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 249 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    Parent: A = 249, Z = 94 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 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 = 237, Z = 89 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

  11. 11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 222 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 = 222, Z = 83 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 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 = 230, Z = 90 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
12 questions · Seed 44 · 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 = 211 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 (211 − 4 = 207) and Z decreases by 2 (83 − 2 = 81).

  2. 2. 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).

  3. 3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 221 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.

    217

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (221 − 4 = 217) and Z decreases by 2 (82 − 2 = 80).

  4. 4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 226 and proton (atomic) number Z = 90. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    91

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 226 and Z increases by 1 (90 + 1 = 91).

  5. 5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 244 and proton (atomic) number Z = 93. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    94

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 244 and Z increases by 1 (93 + 1 = 94).

  6. 6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 229 and proton (atomic) number Z = 88. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    229

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 229 and Z increases by 1 (88 + 1 = 89).

  7. 7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 236 and proton (atomic) number Z = 90. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.

    88

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (236 − 4 = 232) and Z decreases by 2 (90 − 2 = 88).

  8. 8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 232 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.

    228

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (232 − 4 = 228) and Z decreases by 2 (89 − 2 = 87).

  9. 9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 249 and proton (atomic) number Z = 94. It undergoes beta-minus (β⁻) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.

    249

    In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 249 and Z increases by 1 (94 + 1 = 95).

  10. 10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 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 (237 − 4 = 233) and Z decreases by 2 (89 − 2 = 87).

  11. 11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 222 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.

    218

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (222 − 4 = 218) and Z decreases by 2 (83 − 2 = 81).

  12. 12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 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.

    226

    In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (230 − 4 = 226) and Z decreases by 2 (90 − 2 = 88).

12 questions · Seed 44 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification