Key Concepts: Nuclear Reactions

Core Definitions

• Nuclear Equation: Shows the parent nucleus, emitted particle, and daughter nucleus. Mass and atomic numbers must balance.
• Transmutation: The conversion of one element into another through nuclear reactions.
• Balancing Rule: Sum of mass numbers on left = sum on right; sum of atomic numbers on left = sum on right.
• Particle Symbols: α = ⁴₂He, β = ⁰₋₁e, γ = ⁰₀γ, neutron = ¹₀n, proton = ¹₁p.