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Chapter 19: Problem 5

Which type of radioactive decay has the net effect of changing a neutron into a proton? Which type of decay has the net effect of turning a proton into a neutron?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The type of radioactive decay that has the net effect of changing a neutron into a proton is beta-minus decay, denoted by the equation: \(n -> p + e^{-} + \bar{v}_e\). Conversely, the type of radioactive decay that has the net effect of turning a proton into a neutron is beta-plus decay, denoted by the equation: \(p -> n + e^{+} + v_e\).

Step by step solution

01

Review the types of radioactive decay

There are several types of radioactive decay, but the most common ones are alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay. We need to focus on beta decay, as this type of decay involves the conversion of neutrons and protons. There are two types of beta decay: beta-minus decay and beta-plus decay.
02

Identify the decay that changes a neutron into a proton

During a beta-minus decay, a neutron is converted into a proton, and a high-energy electron (called a beta particle) is released. The equation for beta-minus decay is: \[n -> p + e^{-} + \bar{v}_e\] where \(n\) is the neutron, \(p\) is a proton, \(e^{-}\) is the beta particle (electron), and \(\bar{v}_e\) is an anti-neutrino. So, the type of radioactive decay with the net effect of changing a neutron into a proton is the beta-minus decay.
03

Identify the decay that changes a proton into a neutron

During a beta-plus decay, a proton is converted into a neutron, and a high-energy positron (the antimatter counterpart of the electron) is released. The equation for beta-plus decay is: \[p -> n + e^{+} + v_e\] where \(p\) is the proton, \(n\) is a neutron, \(e^{+}\) is the positron, and \(v_e\) is a neutrino. So, the type of radioactive decay with the net effect of changing a proton into a neutron is the beta-plus decay. To summarize: - The type of radioactive decay with the net effect of changing a neutron into a proton is beta-minus decay. - The type of radioactive decay with the net effect of changing a proton into a neutron is beta-plus decay.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Iodine- 131 is used in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease and has a half-life of 8.0 days. If a patient with thyroid disease consumes a sample of \(\mathrm{Na}^{131} \mathrm{I}\) containing $10 . \mu \mathrm{g}^{131 \mathrm{I}}\( how long will it take for the amount of \)^{131} \mathrm{I}$ to decrease to 1\(/ 100\) of the original amount?

Strontium- 90 and radon-222 both pose serious health risks. \(^{90}\) Sr decays by \(\beta\) -particle production and has a relatively long half-life $(28.9 \text { years). Radon-2222 decays by } \alpha \text { -particle production }$ and has a relatively short half-life \((3.82 \text { days). Explain }\) why each decay process poses health risks.

Uranium-235 undergoes many different fission reactions. For one such reaction, when \(^{235} \mathrm{U}\) is struck with a neutron, \(^{144}\mathrm{Ce}\) and \(^{90}\mathrm{Sr}\) are produced along with some neutrons and electrons. How many neutrons and \(\beta\) -particles are produced in this fission reaction?

Given the following information: Mass of proton \(=1.00728 \mathrm{u}\) Mass of neutron \(=1.00866 \mathrm{u}\) Mass of electron \(=5.486 \times 10^{-4} \mathrm{u}\) Speed of light \(=2.9979 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\) Calculate the nuclear binding energy of \(_{12}^{24} \mathrm{Mg},\) which has an atomic mass of 23.9850 \(\mathrm{u}\) .

What are transuranium elements and how are they synthesized?
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