Question

Give the nuclear symbol for each of the following. a. a beta particle b. an alpha particle c. a neutron d. a proton

Short answer

a. Beta particle: \( _{-1}^{0} β \) b. Alpha particle: \( _{2}^{4} α \) c. Neutron: \( _{0}^{1} n \) d. Proton: \( _{1}^{1} p \)

Step-by-step solution

a. Beta Particle

A beta particle is an electron emitted during the radioactive decay of a nucleus. It has an atomic number (Z) of -1 and a mass number (A) of 0. The nuclear symbol for a beta particle \( (β) \) can be written as: \( _{-1}^{0} β \).

b. Alpha Particle

An alpha particle is a helium-4 nucleus emitted during the radioactive decay of a heavy nucleus. It has an atomic number (Z) of 2 and a mass number (A) of 4. The nuclear symbol for an alpha particle \( (α) \) can be written as: \( _{2}^{4} α \).

c. Neutron

A neutron is a neutral particle found in the nucleus of an atom. It has an atomic number (Z) of 0 and a mass number (A) of 1. The nuclear symbol for a neutron \( (n) \) can be written as: \( _{0}^{1} n \).

d. Proton

A proton is a positively charged particle found in the nucleus of an atom. It has an atomic number (Z) of 1 and a mass number (A) of 1. The nuclear symbol for a proton \( (p) \) can be written as: \( _{1}^{1} p \). Now, we have the nuclear symbols for each particle: a. Beta particle: \( _{-1}^{0} β \) b. Alpha particle: \( _{2}^{4} α \) c. Neutron: \( _{0}^{1} n \) d. Proton: \( _{1}^{1} p \)