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 = 239 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 = 239, Z = 94 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 and proton (atomic) number Z = 96. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.
Parent: A = 246, Z = 96 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 235 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 = 235, Z = 88 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 223 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 = 223, Z = 82 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 214 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 = 214, Z = 84 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 222 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 = 222, Z = 89 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 241 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 = 241, Z = 91 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 247 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 = 247, Z = 94 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 223 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 = 223, Z = 89 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 225 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 = 225, Z = 85 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 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 = 237, Z = 94 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 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 = 246, Z = 93 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

12 questions · Seed 49 · 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 = 239 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 (239 − 4 = 235) and Z decreases by 2 (94 − 2 = 92).
2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 and proton (atomic) number Z = 96. 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 (96 − 2 = 94).
3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 235 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.
231
In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (235 − 4 = 231) and Z decreases by 2 (88 − 2 = 86).
4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 223 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 (223 − 4 = 219) and Z decreases by 2 (82 − 2 = 80).
5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 214 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 (214 − 4 = 210) and Z decreases by 2 (84 − 2 = 82).
6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 222 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 (222 − 4 = 218) and Z decreases by 2 (89 − 2 = 87).
7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 241 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 241 and Z increases by 1 (91 + 1 = 92).
8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 247 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 247 and Z increases by 1 (94 + 1 = 95).
9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 223 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.
219
In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (223 − 4 = 219) and Z decreases by 2 (89 − 2 = 87).
10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 225 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.
225
In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 225 and Z increases by 1 (85 + 1 = 86).
11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 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 (237 − 4 = 233) and Z decreases by 2 (94 − 2 = 92).
12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 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 246 and Z increases by 1 (93 + 1 = 94).

12 questions · Seed 49 · 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 = 239 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 = 239, Z = 94 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 and proton (atomic) number Z = 96. It undergoes alpha (α) decay to form a daughter nucleus. Find the nucleon number A of the daughter nucleus.
Parent: A = 246, Z = 96 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 235 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 = 235, Z = 88 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 223 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 = 223, Z = 82 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 214 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 = 214, Z = 84 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 222 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 = 222, Z = 89 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 241 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 = 241, Z = 91 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 247 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 = 247, Z = 94 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 223 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 = 223, Z = 89 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 225 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 = 225, Z = 85 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Nucleon Number A = ?
11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 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 = 237, Z = 94 (alpha (α)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?
12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 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 = 246, Z = 93 (beta-minus (β⁻)) · Daughter Proton Number Z = ?

12 questions · Seed 49 · 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 = 239 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 (239 − 4 = 235) and Z decreases by 2 (94 − 2 = 92).
2. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 and proton (atomic) number Z = 96. 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 (96 − 2 = 94).
3. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 235 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.
231
In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (235 − 4 = 231) and Z decreases by 2 (88 − 2 = 86).
4. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 223 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 (223 − 4 = 219) and Z decreases by 2 (82 − 2 = 80).
5. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 214 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 (214 − 4 = 210) and Z decreases by 2 (84 − 2 = 82).
6. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 222 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 (222 − 4 = 218) and Z decreases by 2 (89 − 2 = 87).
7. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 241 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 241 and Z increases by 1 (91 + 1 = 92).
8. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 247 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 247 and Z increases by 1 (94 + 1 = 95).
9. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 223 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.
219
In alpha (⁴₂He) decay, A decreases by 4 (223 − 4 = 219) and Z decreases by 2 (89 − 2 = 87).
10. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 225 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.
225
In beta-minus (⁰₋₁e) decay, a neutron becomes a proton so A remains 225 and Z increases by 1 (85 + 1 = 86).
11. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 237 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 (237 − 4 = 233) and Z decreases by 2 (94 − 2 = 92).
12. A radioactive parent nucleus has nucleon (mass) number A = 246 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 246 and Z increases by 1 (93 + 1 = 94).

12 questions · Seed 49 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification