Symbols

Each of the nuclear radiations has it own accepted symbol(s).  

 
Alpha

(Greek letter 'a' - alpha)

(Greek letter 'a' - alpha)

(Chemical symbol for helium)

4 is the nucleon number or mass number (sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus)

2 is the proton number or atomic number - the charge on the particle

Beta

(Greek letter 'b' - beta)

(Greek letter 'b' - beta)

('e' stands for electron)

we have a -1 because its charge is -1 and a zero for mass because it's mass is negligible

Gamma
(Greek letter 'g' - gamma)
Positron

(Greek letter 'b' - beta)

(Greek letter 'b' - beta)

('e' stands for electron)

we have a +1 because its charge is +1 and a zero for mass because it's mass is negligible

 

Most naturally occurring elements are mixtures of isotopes, which are represented by symbols of the form

 

 

where

X is the symbol of the element,

A is the nucleon number and

Z is the proton number