Chapter 2: Problem 10

Discuss law of successive disintegration and group displacement law.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The law of successive disintegration is about the transformation of radioactive elements to more stable ones over time. The group displacement law describes the movement of elements in the periodic table during radioactive decay where they move 2 groups left during alpha decay and one group right during beta decay.

Step by step solution

Define Law of Successive Disintegration

The law of successive disintegration (also known as the decay series or radioactive series) states that, in a family of radioisotopes produced by the decay of a long-lived parent radioisotope, each member of the family will decay successively into the next member until a stable isotope is formed - usually a lead isotope.

Discuss Alpha and Beta Decay

Radioactive decay can happen through alpha and beta decay. In alpha decay, an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle and transforms into a new element by losing 2 protons and 2 neutrons, moving 2 steps left in the periodic table. In beta decay, a neutron in an atomic nucleus is transformed into a proton and an electron (the beta particle), which is ejected from the nucleus. The parent atom moves one group to the right in the periodic table.

Explain Group Displacement Law

The group displacement law refers to these movements in the periodic table during radioactive decay. During alpha decay, an element moves 2 groups to the left in the periodic table. During beta decay, it moves one group to the right. This law helps to predict the product of a radioactive decay.

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Discuss law of successive disintegration and group displacement law.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Define Law of Successive Disintegration

Discuss Alpha and Beta Decay

Explain Group Displacement Law

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