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Chapter 21: Problem 16

What particle is produced during the following decay processes: (a) actinium-215 decays to francium-211; (b) boron- 13 decays to carbon-13; (c) holmium-151 decays to terbium- \(147 ;\) (d) carbon-11 decays to boron-11?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The particles produced during the decay processes are: (a) an alpha particle; (b) an electron; (c) an alpha particle; (d) a positron.

Step by step solution

01

a) Actinium-215 decays to Francium-211

We see that a change in atomic number from 89 (Actinium) to 87 (Francium) has taken place, which indicates that Ac-215 has undergone alpha decay. An alpha particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, so the produced particle is an alpha particle. The decay equation is: \[Ac-215 \rightarrow Fr-211 + \alpha\]
02

b) Boron-13 decays to Carbon-13

The change in atomic number from 5 (Boron) to 6 (Carbon) means 1 neutron has been converted into 1 proton, which indicates B-13 has undergone beta-minus decay. The produced particle is an electron. The decay equation is: \[B-13 \rightarrow C-13 + \beta^-\]
03

c) Holmium-151 decays to Terbium-147

There is a change in atomic number from 67 (Holmium) to 65 (Terbium), which indicates that Ho-151 has undergone alpha decay. An alpha particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, so the produced particle is an alpha particle. The decay equation is: \[Ho-151 \rightarrow Tb-147 + \alpha\]
04

d) Carbon-11 decays to Boron-11

The change in atomic number from 6 (Carbon) to 5 (Boron) suggests that 1 proton has been converted into 1 neutron, which indicates that C-11 has undergone beta-plus decay. The produced particle is a positron. The decay equation is: \[C-11 \rightarrow B-11 + \beta^+\] So the particles produced during each decay process are: a) an alpha particle b) an electron c) an alpha particle d) a positron

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