An unstable nucleus will undergo nuclear decay and change into a different nuclide having a different atomic number and/or mass number. There are a variety of nuclear decay modes that can occur, each resulting in a different amount of change in the atomic and mass numbers. Each decay mode is also characterized by the release or absorption of a subatomic particle. By inspecting the manner in which the atomic and mass numbers change and by inspecting the symbol of the particle (and its location relative to the reaction symbol), one can determine the decay type.