Radioactive Decay equations

Alpha Decay
An alpha particle (a Helium nucleus) is ejected from the parent nucleus.
Z X  Z  2Y  2 
A A 4 4
Loss: 2 protons, 2 neutrons

Beta Minus Decay

A neutron is transformed into a proton (that stays in the nucleus), an electron and anti-neutrino are emitted.
(The anti-neutrino is emitted to conserve energy).
A
Z X  Z A1Y  10 e   e Loss: 1 neutron Gain: 1 proton, 1 anti-neutrino

Beta Plus Decay

A proton is transformed into a neutron (that stays in the nucleus), a positron and a neutrino are emitted (The
neutrino is emitted to conserve energy).
Z X  Z 1Y  1 e   e
A A 0
Loss: 1 proton Gain: 1 neutron, 1 neutrino

Electron Capture
A nucleus can capture one of the orbiting electrons. A proton changes into a neutron.
Z X  1 e Z 1Y   e
A 0 A
Loss: 1 proton Gain: 1 neutron

Gamma Ray Emission

Alpha emission is often followed by gamma ray emission. The daughter nuclei are left in an excited state (a
higher energy level) which they will at some point fall from to the ground state, emitting a gamma photon.
There is no nuclear structure change, just a change of energy.
Z X Z X  
A A
Loss: Energy