Nuclear Reactions and Atomic Notation

Data Analysis: Teacher Answer Worksheet

1.

~
91Pa ALPHA DECAY

~
89Ac &

2.

~
84 Po ALPHA DECAY

~
&

3.

~
BETA DECAY

~
85 At &

b!;]
4.

~
90Th BETA DECAY

91Pa &

5.
~'>

~
86Rn ALPHA DECAY

~
&

You may use a periodic table or a chart of the nuclides.

6. Use atomic notation like the problems above arid create an alpha decay
with the nuclide of your choice.

a. See above

7. Use atomic notation like the problems above and create a beta decay
with the nuclide of your choice.

a. See above

ALPHAS, BETAS AND GAMMAS OH, MY!

 Decay Event Table

Instructions: Teacher Answer Worksheet

Complete the graph by following the sequence of alpha and beta decays that
actually occurs in nature from the decay event table. Start with U235 and
Follow the steps (in order) of alpha and beta decays. Graph the path of decays
by drawing an arrow tracing the mass number per atomic number and writing
the correct atomic symbol for each mass number per atomic number event.

STEP # DECAY EVENT

1 ALPHA
235 u
2 BETA

3 ALPHA
I /
4 ALPHA
231 Tit :pa
5 BETA I I I I /1
lA I
I
6 ALPHA 227
I I I I I
7 ALPHA I
!
I

I
I /1 I,

8 ALPHA 223 ,- I Fr fla I

9 BETA

10 ALPHA
(j)
E
/
co 219 R~
11 BETA '-
-9 I

12 STABLE en
en V I 1
I
I
i
I
« 215 LPO I I
~
I
I I I
211 II I I
PbLBi I
VI I
I

207 Tf Pb I
205 I I I
I I I I
204
I II I I

,
203 I I I I I
I I I I
202 I I I
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 00 91 92

ATOMIC NUMBER

ALPHAS. BETAS AND GAMMAS OH, MY! 5