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Chapter 21: Problem 25

Which of the following statements best explains why alpha emission is relatively common, but proton emission is extremely rare? (a) Alpha particles are very stable because of magic numbers of protons and neutrons. (b) Alpha particles occur in the nucleus. (c) Alpha particles are the nuclei of an inert gas. (d) An alpha particle has a higher charge than a proton.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The best explanation for why alpha emission is relatively common but proton emission is extremely rare is statement (a) "Alpha particles are very stable because of magic numbers of protons and neutrons." This lower energy barrier due to the stability and "magic" ratio of protons to neutrons in alpha particles makes alpha emission more common than proton emission.

Step by step solution

01

Reviewing Alpha Emission

Alpha emission is a type of radioactive decay in which an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, which consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. This emission results in a new element with an atomic number two less than the original and a mass number four less than the original.
02

Reviewing Proton Emission

Proton emission is another type of radioactive decay in which an unstable nucleus directly emits a proton resulting in a new element with an atomic number one less than the original. Proton emission is much less common than alpha emission due to greater energy barriers.
03

Evaluating Statement (a)

"Alpha particles are very stable because of magic numbers of protons and neutrons." This statement is true since alpha particles have a "magic" ratio, meaning they exhibit a stability that lowers the energy required for emission. This lower energy barrier makes it easier for a nucleus to decay via alpha emission.
04

Evaluating Statement (b)

"Alpha particles occur in the nucleus." Alpha particles are indeed found within the nucleus, but this fact alone does not fully explain why alpha emission is more common than proton emission.
05

Evaluating Statement (c)

"Alpha particles are the nuclei of an inert gas." Alpha particles are indeed the nuclei of helium, an inert gas. However, this statement does not provide direct reasoning for alpha emission being more common than proton emission.
06

Evaluating Statement (d)

"An alpha particle has a higher charge than a proton." An alpha particle does have a higher charge than a proton, so it might be expected to be harder to emit due to stronger electrostatic forces in the nucleus. But the stability and "magic" ratio of protons to neutrons in alpha particles lower the energy required for emission, making alpha emission more common than proton emission despite the higher charge.
07

Conclusion

Based on the analysis, the statement that best explains why alpha emission is relatively common while proton emission is extremely rare is (a) "Alpha particles are very stable because of magic numbers of protons and neutrons."

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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