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 13-15 Ages 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. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 228 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 = 228, Z = 90 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 225 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 = 225, Z = 83 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 and proton (atomic) number Z = 91. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.
Parent: A = 230, Z = 91 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 242 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 = 242, Z = 93 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 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 = 230, Z = 91 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 218 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 = 218, Z = 82 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
7. 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 = ?
8. 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 = ?
9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 and proton (atomic) number Z = 91. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.
Parent: A = 237, Z = 91 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 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 = 246, Z = 93 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 and proton (atomic) number Z = 92. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.
Parent: A = 246, Z = 92 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 217 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 = 217, Z = 84 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

12 questions · Seed 45 · 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. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 228 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 228 and Z increases by 1 (90 + 1 = 91).
2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 225 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 225 and Z increases by 1 (83 + 1 = 84).
3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 and proton (atomic) number Z = 91. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.
89
In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (230 − 4 = 226) and Z decreases by 2 (91 − 2 = 89).
4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 242 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 242 and Z increases by 1 (93 + 1 = 94).
5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 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 230 and Z increases by 1 (91 + 1 = 92).
6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 218 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.
214
In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (218 − 4 = 214) and Z decreases by 2 (82 − 2 = 80).
7. 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).
8. 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).
9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 and proton (atomic) number Z = 91. 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 (91 − 2 = 89).
10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 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.
242
In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (246 − 4 = 242) and Z decreases by 2 (93 − 2 = 91).
11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 and proton (atomic) number Z = 92. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.
242
In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (246 − 4 = 242) and Z decreases by 2 (92 − 2 = 90).
12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 217 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 (217 − 4 = 213) and Z decreases by 2 (84 − 2 = 82).

12 questions · Seed 45 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Alpha (α) & beta (β) nuclear decay

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 228 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 = 228, Z = 90 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 225 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 = 225, Z = 83 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 and proton (atomic) number Z = 91. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.
Parent: A = 230, Z = 91 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 242 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 = 242, Z = 93 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 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 = 230, Z = 91 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 218 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 = 218, Z = 82 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
7. 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 = ?
8. 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 = ?
9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 and proton (atomic) number Z = 91. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.
Parent: A = 237, Z = 91 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 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 = 246, Z = 93 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 and proton (atomic) number Z = 92. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.
Parent: A = 246, Z = 92 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 217 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 = 217, Z = 84 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

12 questions · Seed 45 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Alpha (α) & beta (β) nuclear decay

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 228 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 228 and Z increases by 1 (90 + 1 = 91).
2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 225 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 225 and Z increases by 1 (83 + 1 = 84).
3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 and proton (atomic) number Z = 91. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the proton number Z of the daughter nucleus.
89
In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (230 − 4 = 226) and Z decreases by 2 (91 − 2 = 89).
4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 242 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 242 and Z increases by 1 (93 + 1 = 94).
5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 230 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 230 and Z increases by 1 (91 + 1 = 92).
6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 218 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.
214
In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (218 − 4 = 214) and Z decreases by 2 (82 − 2 = 80).
7. 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).
8. 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).
9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 and proton (atomic) number Z = 91. 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 (91 − 2 = 89).
10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 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.
242
In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (246 − 4 = 242) and Z decreases by 2 (93 − 2 = 91).
11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 and proton (atomic) number Z = 92. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.
242
In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (246 − 4 = 242) and Z decreases by 2 (92 − 2 = 90).
12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 217 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 (217 − 4 = 213) and Z decreases by 2 (84 − 2 = 82).

12 questions · Seed 45 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification