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Chapter 18: Problem 52

Determine whether each of the following nuclear reactions involves alpha decay, beta decay, positron emission, or electron capture. \begin{equation}\begin{array}{l}{\text { a. }_{90}^{234} \mathrm{Th} \rightarrow_{-1}^{0} e+_{91}^{234} \mathrm{Pa}} \\ {\text { b. }_{92}^{238} \mathrm{U} \longrightarrow_{2}^{4} \mathrm{He}+_{90}^{234} \mathrm{Th}} \\\ {\text { c. }_{8}^{15} \mathrm{O} \longrightarrow_{+1}^{0} e+_{7}^{15} \mathrm{N}}\end{array}\end{equation}

Short Answer

Expert verified
The first reaction corresponds to beta decay, the second to alpha decay and the third to positron emission.

Step by step solution

01

Identify Decay Type a.

In the first reaction, a Th (Thorium) atom ejects an e (electron), changing into Pa (Protactinium) while atomic number increases by 1, but the mass number remains same. This is characteristic of beta decay.
02

Identify Decay Type b.

In the second reaction, a U (Uranium) atom ejects a He (Helium) atom and becomes Th (Thorium). The atomic number decreases by 2 and the mass number decreases by 4. This is characteristic of alpha decay.
03

Identify Decay Type c.

In the third reaction, an O (Oxygen) atom ejects an e (positron) and changes into N (Nitrogen). The atomic number decreases by 1. The mass number remains same. This behavior coincides with positron emission.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

A. What is the relationship among the number of protons, the number of neutrons, and the stability of the nucleus for small atoms? B. What is the relationship among number of protons, the number of neutrons, and the stability of the nucleus for large atoms?

Calculating the Amount of Radioactive Material The graphing calculator can run a program that graphs the relationship between the amount of radioactive material and elapsed time. Given the half-life of the radioactive material and the initial amount of material in grams, you will graph the relationship between the amount of radioactive material and the elapsed time. Then, with the elapsed time, you will trace the graph to calculate the amount of radioactive material. Go to Appendix C. If you are using a TI-83 Plus, you can download the program RADIOACT and run the application as directed. If you are using another calculator, your teacher will provide you with key-strokes and data sets to use. After you have run the program, answer these questions. a. Determine the amount of neptunium-235 left after 2.0 years, given the half- life of neptunium-235 is 1.08 years and the initial amount was 8.00 g. b. Determine the amount of neptunium-235 left after 5.0 years, given the half- life of neptunium-235 is 1.08 years and the initial amount was 8.00 g. c. Determine the amount of uranium-232 left after 100 years, given the half- life of uranium-232 is 69 years and the initial amount was 10.0 g.

Research some important historical findings that have been validated through radioactive dating. Report your findings to the class.

The radiation given off by iodine-131 in the form of beta particles is used to treat cancer of the thyroid gland.Write the nuclear equation to describe the decay of an iodine-131 nucleus.

Actinium-217 decays by releasing an alpha particle. Write an equation for this decay process, and determine what element is formed.
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