Science, Tech, Math › Science Parent Nuclide Definition in Physics Share Flipboard Email Print Iodine-131 is the parent nuclide of xenon-131. pangoasis / Getty Images Science Chemistry Chemical Laws Basics Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. our editorial process Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Updated January 14, 2020 A parent nuclide is a nuclide that decays into a specific daughter nuclide during radioactive decay. A parent nuclide is also known as a parent isotope. Examples Na-22 decays into Ne-22 by β+ decay. Na-22 is the parent nuclide and Ne-22 is the daughter nuclide. As another example, tellurium-131 is the parent nuclide, which undergoes beta decay to yield the daughter nuclide iodine-131. Iodine-131, in turn, is the parent nuclide of xenon-131. Sources Peh, W. C. G. (1996). "The Discovery of Radioactivity and Radium." Singapore Medical Journal. 37 (6): 627–630. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Parent Nuclide Definition in Physics." ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/definition-of-parent-nuclide-605477. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2021, February 16). Parent Nuclide Definition in Physics. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-parent-nuclide-605477 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Parent Nuclide Definition in Physics." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-parent-nuclide-605477 (accessed March 7, 2021). copy citation