Barrons SAT Subject Test Chemistry, 13th Edition

atomic number is shown by a subscript ( 92 U), and the isotopic mass by a

superscript (^238 U). The alpha particle is represented by the Greek symbol α, and
the beta particle by β.

The changes that occur in radioactive reactions and the subatomic particles
involved are summarized in the following charts.

TIP

Know how each type of emission affects the atomic mass and the atomic number.

Radioactive Decay and Nuclear Change

Nuclear Symbols for Subatomic Particles

This is shown graphically in the radioactive decay series below.