ANSWER KEY

Nuclear Decay

The following atoms all undergo alpha particle emission. Write the complete nuclear equation.

210
Po → alpha particle + Pb-206
84

238
U → alpha particle + Th-234
92

238
Th → alpha particle + Ra-234
90

222
Rn → alpha particle + Po-218
86

The following atoms all undergo beta decay. Write the complete nuclear equation.

14
C → beta particle (e-) + N-14
6

90
Sr → beta particle (e-) + Y-90
38

40
K → beta particle (e-) + Ca-40
19

13
N → beta particle (e-) + O-13
7
The following all undergo electron capture. Write the complete nuclear equation.

106
Ag + electron (e-) → Pd-106
47

116
Sn + electron (e-) → In-116
50

190
Pt + electron (e-) → Ir-190
78

123
I + electron (e-) → Te-123
53
ANSWER KEY
The following all undergo positron emission. Write the complete nuclear equation.

116
Sn → positron (e+) + In-116
50

61
Cu → positron (e+) + Ni-61
29

30
S → positron (e+) + P-30
16

85
Sr → positron (e+) + Rb-85
38

Complete the missing information in the reactions. Then, label the reaction one of the following:
ANSWER KEY
 Alpha Decay  Electron Capture
 Beta Decay  Positron Emission
ANSWER KEY

14 0
C-6 → N + e Type: beta decay
7 1

238 234
U → Th + alpha particle Type: alpha decay
92 90

15 15
O → N + positron (e+) Type: positron decay
8 7

32 0
P → S-32 + e Type: beta decay
15 1

105 105
Ag + electron (e-) → Pd Type: electron capture
47 46

0 40
Sc-40 → e + Ca Type: positron decay
1 20

244 4
Pu → He + U-244 Type: alpha decay
94 2