Question: Write a brief description or definition of each of the following:

(a) nucleon

(b) \(\alpha particle\)

(c) \(\beta \) particle

(d) positron

(e) \({\bf{\gamma - }}\)ray

(f) nuclide

(g) mass number

(h) atomic number

Nucleon is a particle which is present in the nucleus, in other word nucleons are protons and neutrons.

\(\alpha \)-particle is divalent cation of helium, in other words it is nucleus of helium with 2 protons and 2 neutrons. We write it as: \(_2^4He or _2^4\alpha .\)

\(\beta \)Particle is electron which has high energy which is released during the radioactive decay of the unstable nucleus.

It is shown as: \(_{ - 1}^0e or _{ - 1}^0\beta .\)

Positron is a particle which has the similar properties as electron, but the main difference between them is that positron has positive charge and it is an antiparticle. We write it as: \(_{ + 1}^0e or _{ + 1}^0\beta .\)

\(\gamma \) ray is part of the electromagnetic spectrum which has high energy and short wavelength and it shows wave-particle duality. We write it as: \(_0^0\gamma .\)

Nucleide is an atomic species characterized by the specific constitution of its nucleus (number of protons, number of neutrons) and its nuclear energy state.

Atomic Mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom

Atomic number of an element is the number of protons and it is equal to the number of electrons in an atom. Since atom is electrically neutral.