Radioactive decay — Use

Use nuclide notation to write decay equations for alpha, beta and gamma emission.

Alpha decay: ^A_Z X -> ^(A-4)_(Z-2) Y + ^4_2 He, e.g. ^238_92 U -> ^234_90 Th + ^4_2 He. Beta decay: ^A_Z X -> ^A_(Z+1) Y + ^0_-1 e, e.g. ^14_6 C -> ^14_7 N + ^0_-1 e. Gamma emission: ^A_Z X -> ^A_Z X + γ (the nucleon number and proton number stay the same; only energy is released as gamma radiation). In each case the totals of nucleon number and proton number are conserved (balanced) on both sides of the equation.