CAIE IGCSE Physics 5.2.3.5 Decay equations, using nuclide

Practise completing nuclear decay equations in nuclide notation by balancing proton and nucleon numbers for emissions.

Exam points

complete alpha equations by reducing nucleon number by 4 and proton number by 2
complete beta equations with unchanged nucleon number and proton number increased by 1
choose the missing nuclide or emitted particle by balancing both sides of the equation

[Maximum number: 3]

Many household smoke alarms contain a sample of the radioactive isotope americium-241 (Am).

Americium-241 decays to an isotope of neptunium (Np) by alpha-particle ( $\alpha$ -particle) emission.

Complete the equation for this decay.

{ }_{\ldots \ldots}^{241} \mathrm{Am} \longrightarrow{ }_{93}^{\ldots \ldots} \mathrm{Np}+{ }_{\ldots \ldots}^{\ldots \ldots} \alpha

${ }_{95}^{241} \mathrm{Am} \rightarrow{ }_{93}^{237} \mathrm{~Np}+{ }_{2}^{4} \mathrm{a}$

A3

any two from:

${ }_{95} \mathrm{Am}$ ${ }^{237} \mathrm{~Np}$ ${ }_{2}^{4} \mathrm{a}$

C2

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5.2.3.5—Decay equations, using nuclide question 1