Radioactive Decay- Mindmap

Radioactive Decay- Mindmap

1. Alpha Decay

   • Decreases the charge and the mass of the nucleus
   • When the nucleus gives out an Alpha particle, it loses two protons and two nutrons.
   • This means the mass number decreases by 4 and the atomic number decreases by 2.

2. Beta-minus decay

   • Increases the charge of the nucleus
   • A neutron becomes a proton and an electron
   • The mass number doesn't change and the atomic number increases by one.

3. Beta-plus decay

   • Decreases the charge of the nucleus.
   • A proton becomes a neutron and a positron.
   • The mass number doesn't change and the atomic number decreases by 1.

4. Neutron

   • Decreases the mass of the nucleas
   • The nucleus emits a neutron
   • This means the mass number decreases by 1 but the atomic number stays the same.

5. Gamma Rays

   • Don't change the charge or mass of the nucleus.
   • A way to get rid of excess energy. The nucleus goes from an excited state to a more stable state.
   • The mass and atomic number stay the same after a gamma ray has been emitted.