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Chapter 38: Problem 19

Copper-64 can decay by any of the three beta-decay processes. Write the equation for each decay.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The decay equations are: Beta-minus decay: \[ \, _{29}^{64} \text{Cu} \rightarrow \, _{30}^{64} \text{Zn} + e^- + \bar{v}_e \]. Beta-plus decay: \[ \, _{29}^{64} \text{Cu} \rightarrow \, _{28}^{64} \text{Ni} + e^+ + v_e \]. Electron capture: \[ \, _{29}^{64} \text{Cu} + e^- \rightarrow \, _{28}^{64} \text{Ni} + v_e \].

Step by step solution

01

Write the Equation for Beta-minus Decay

In the beta minus decay, Cu-64 changes a neutron into a proton and emits an electron (beta particle) and an antineutrino. We write this equation as: \[ \, _{29}^{64} \text{Cu} \rightarrow \, _{30}^{64} \text{Zn} + e^- + \bar{v}_e \]. Where \(_{30}^{64}\)Zn is the zinc atom obtained after decay, \(e^-\) is the beta particle (electron), and \(\bar{v}_e\) is an electron antineutrino.
02

Write the Equation for Beta-plus Decay

In the beta plus decay, Cu-64 changes a proton into a neutron, and emits a positron (the anti-particle of the electron) and a neutrino. We write this equation as: \[ \, _{29}^{64} \text{Cu} \rightarrow \, _{28}^{64} \text{Ni} + e^+ + v_e \]. Where \(_{28}^{64}\)Ni is the nickel atom after decay, \(e^+\) is the positron, and \(v_e\) is the electron neutrino.
03

Write the Equation for Electron Capture

In electron capture, Cu-64 absorbs an inner shell electron which combines with a proton to make a neutron, emitting a neutrino. We write this equation as: \[ \, _{29}^{64} \text{Cu} + e^- \rightarrow \, _{28}^{64} \text{Ni} + v_e \]. Where \(e^-\) is the inner shell electron, \(_{28}^{64}\)Ni is the nickel atom after electron capture, and \(v_e\) is the neutrino.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Write a complete equation for neutron-induced fission of plutonium-239 that yields barium-143, two neutrons, and another nucleus.

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On an energy-release-per-unit-mass basis, by approximately what factor do nuclear reactions exceed chemical reactions?

A laser-fusion fuel pellet has mass 5.0 mg and consists of equal parts (by mass) of deuterium and tritium. (a) If half the deuterons and an equal number of tritons participate in D-T fusion, how much energy is released? (b) At what rate must pellets be fused in a power plant with 3000 -MW thermal power output? (c) What mass of fuel would be needed to run the plant for 1 year? Compare your answer with the \(3.6 \times 10^{6}\) tons of coal needed to fuel a comparable coal-burning power plant.

Passage Problems In \(1972,\) a worker at a nuclear fuel plant in France discovered that uranium from a mine in Oklo, in the African Republic of Gabon, had less U-235 than the normal 0.7 \(\%\) - a quantity known from meteorites and Moon rocks to be constant throughout the solar system. Further analysis showed the presence of isotopes that would result from the decay of fission products. Scientists drew the remarkable conclusion that a natural nuclear fission reaction had occurred some 2 billion years ago, lasting for about 100,000 years. Water, mixing with rich uranium ore, provided the moderator that made the chain reaction possible. More significantly, U-235's 700-million-year half-life means that 2 billion years ago there was a higher abundance of \(U-235\) in natural uranium. At the time of the Oklo fission reaction, the actual amount of U-235 present was a. about the same as today. b. about twice as much as today. c. about four times as much as today. d. about eight times as much as today.
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