Atomic StructureDiagram

Nuclear Decay Equations

Part of Radioactive Decay · GCSE GCSE Physics revision

This diagram covers Nuclear Decay Equations within Radioactive Decay for GCSE Physics. Revise Radioactive Decay in Atomic Structure for GCSE Physics with 15 exam-style questions and 6 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 5 of 14 in this topic. Focus on the labels, the relationships between parts, and the explanation that turns the diagram into an exam-ready answer.

Topic position

Section 5 of 14

Practice

15 questions

Recall

6 flashcards

📊 Nuclear Decay Equations

Nuclear decay equations showing alpha decay example with uranium-238 to thorium-234 plus alpha particle, beta decay example with carbon-14 to nitrogen-14 plus electron, and gamma radiation explanation, with balancing rules

Figure 2: Balancing nuclear equations — mass numbers and atomic numbers must balance on both sides.

BALANCING TIP: Add up mass numbers on both sides (must be equal). Add up atomic numbers on both sides (must be equal). The alpha particle is ⁴₂He, the beta particle is ⁰₋₁e.

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Radioactive Decay. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Radioactive Decay

An alpha particle consists of which particles?

  • A. 2 protons and 2 neutrons
  • B. 1 proton and 1 neutron
  • C. An electron and a positron
  • D. A proton and an electron
1 markfoundation

Explain why alpha radiation is described as highly ionising but weakly penetrating.

2 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

Beta particle is?
Fast electron from nucleus
Alpha particle is?
2p + 2n (helium nucleus)

15 questions on Radioactive Decay — practise free

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