a,
b,
g,
or 
Neutron
Some Common Forms of Radiation
| Type of Radiation | Symbol | Mass Number | Atomic Number | Charge |
| Alpha particle |
a,
|
4 | 2 | 2+ |
| Beta particle |
b,
|
0 | 0 | 1- |
| Gamma ray, X-ray |
g,
|
0 | 0 | 0 |
| Proton |
|
1 | 1 | 1+ |
|
Neutron |
|
1 | 0 | 0 |
Alpha decay
Beta decay
Gamma decay
The "m" is for meta-stable. The atom must lose energy to become stable.
Radioactive decay of a neutron to form a proton and an electron
