Correctly identify the species "X" so as to form a balanced nuclear equation.
Don't forget,
In all nuclear equations we conserve charge and number of nucleons.

An alpha particle is actually a helium nucleus and is written as shown on the right
An electron is produced by the conversion of a neutron to a proton in the nucleus during nuclear decay. It is written as shown on the right. Emmision of fast moving elecrons is referred to as beta radiation.
A positron is written as shown on the right and is produced by the conversion of a proton to a neutron in the nucleus during nuclear decay

Write out the equations for:
(a) emitting an alpha particle.

(b) emitting a beta particle.

Solution