the emission of a particle containing two protons and two neutrons from a nucleus

the emission of electromagnetic radiation from a nucleus that reduces its energy

the conversion of a neutron to a proton with the emission of a high speed electron from a nucleus

a particle with the same mass as an electron but with a positive charge

show the changes of particles during nuclear decay processes

Nuclear decay (including beta–plus)

Combined science

In A-level physics, some pupils will build on this knowledge to learn about probability and half-life equations, nuclear instability, Einstein’s equation E = mc2 that links mass and energy, and controlled nuclear fission.

In the Periodic table unit, in chemistry, pupils learnt about the nuclear model of the atom, the atomic number and mass number, and about isotopes of elements.

This unit covers atomic structure, isotopes, radioactive decay, and half-life. It explores alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, nuclear fission and fusion, and the uses of radiation in medicine, highlighting differences between contamination and irradiation.

Nuclear physics

the emission of a particle containing two protons and two neutrons

electromagnetic radiation emitted from a nucleus reducing its energy

the conversion of a neutron to a proton releasing an electron

Match each keyword or phrase to the correct definition.

Which of these symbols can be used to represent an alpha particle?

Which of these shows the daughter nucleus formed by the alpha decay of thorium-232 ($$^{232}_{90}$$Th)?

The charge of the nucleus increases by 1.

The charge of the nucleus decreases by 1.

The charge of the nucleus remains unchanged.

The mass of the nucleus remains unchanged.

Which of the following statements about decay by neutron emission are correct?

$$^{228}_{88}$$Ra -> $$^{228}_{89}$$Ac + $$^{0}_{-1}$$β

$$^{228}_{88}$$Ra -> $$^{228}_{87}$$Fr + $$^{0}_{-1}$$β

$$^{228}_{88}$$Ra -> $$^{229}_{88}$$Ra + $$^{-1}_{0}$$β

$$^{228}_{88}$$Ra -> $$^{228}_{87}$$Fr + $$^{0}_{1}$$β

$$^{228}_{88}$$Ra -> $$^{224}_{86}$$Rn + $$^{4}_{2}$$α

Which of the following equations correctly shows a beta minus β$$^{-}$$ decay for radium-228 $$^{228}_{88}$$Ra?

$$^{10}_{6}$$C -> $$^{6}_{4}$$Be + $$^{0}_{1}$$α

$$^{10}_{6}$$C -> $$^{10}_{5}$$B + $$^{0}_{-1}$$β

$$^{10}_{6}$$C -> $$^{10}_{7}$$N + $$^{0}_{-1}$$β

$$^{10}_{6}$$C -> $$^{10}_{5}$$B + $$^{0}_{1}$$β

$$^{10}_{6}$$C -> $$^{10}_{5}$$C + $$^{0}_{1}$$β

Which of the following equations correctly shows a beta plus β$$^{+}$$ decay for carbon-10 $$^{10}_{6}$$C?

A nucleus of a fluorine atom can be represented as $$^{19}_{9}$$F.
Match each type of particle to the number of them present in this nucleus. 

They must have the same number of protons.

They must have the same number of neutrons.

They must have the same number of nucleons.

They can have different numbers of protons.

They can have different numbers of neutrons.

Which of these statements are correct when comparing two isotopes of the same element?

Which of these are isotopes of the same element?
(The symbol of each element is not correct.)

They are spread throughout a positive sponge.

They are inside the nucleus bonded to protons.

They are orbiting around the nucleus like planets.

They are at specific distances from the nucleus.

Where are the electrons located in the Bohr nuclear model of an atom?

Which force causes protons to repel each other inside the nucleus?

The protons produce a repulsive force on neutrons.

The protons produce an attractive force on neutrons.

The protons produce an attractive force on other protons.

The neutrons produce an attractive force on protons and neutrons.

The protons produce a repulsive for on other protons.

Which statements help explain why a small nucleus with a similar number of protons and neutrons is more stable than a small nucleus with more protons than neutrons?

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Nuclear decay (including beta–plus)

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.