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Radioactive Decay Chain
AP Physics 2 · Unit 15 Nuclear Physics
Learning Objectives
α decay: Z−2, A−4 (helium nucleus emitted)
β⁻ decay: Z+1, A same (neutron→proton+e⁻)
Trace U-238 → Pb-206 (14 steps)
Mass number and atomic number conservation
Decay Rules
α: A→A−4, Z→Z−2
β⁻: A→A, Z→Z+1
γ: A→A, Z→Z (energy only)
Tags
decay chain
alpha
beta
uranium
AP Physics 2
U-238 Decay Series → Pb-206