Nuclear Reactions

A reaction that involves a change

in the nuclear particles( protons
and neutrons) of an atom.
 Two Types of Nuclear
Reactions
 1. radioactive decay (natural
radioactivity)

 2. nuclear transmutation
( artificial radioactivity)
 Radioactive decay

 Occurs naturally whereas nuclear

transmutation is induced
Nuclear transmutation
Conversion of an element into another by
bombarding the original element with
particles or nuclei
 Particles or Radiations in Nuclear Reactions

Particle/Radiation Symbol
 Proton 1 1
p or H
1 1

Neutron 1
n
0

Beta particle or electron 0 0

β or e
 alpha particle 4 4
He or
2 2

positron 0 0
β or e
+1 +1

gamma rays o
γ
o
 The following are the major types of
radioactive decay
 1. Alpha decay
 In alpha decay, the nucleus loses an alpha particle 4
He
2
 Example: 212 208 4
Po Pb + He
84 82 2
2. Beta
This process involves the expulsion of
a beta particle forms when a neutron is converted into
proton
electron 1 1 o
n or p + β
0 1 -1
 Example:
14 14 0
C N + β
6 7 -1
 Positron decay- takes place when the nucleus
emits a positron 0

0
β

+1 , the anti particle of the electron.

A positron is produced when a proton in the nucleus is converted into a neutron.
positron 1 1 0
p n + β
1 0 +1

Example: 20 20 0
Na Ne + β
11 10 +1
 Electron capture
- this type of decay occurs when the nucleus of an atom draws in an electron from the lowest energy level. The
result is that proton is converted into a neutron.

1 0 1
p + e + n
1 -1 0

Example: 37 0 37
Ar + e Cl
18 -1 17
 Gamma emission
involves the release of γ rays from an excited nucleus

Example: 238 234 4

U Th + He + 2 : γ
92 90 2