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Chapter 11: Problem 6

Describe the common types of radioactive decay. What effect does each have on a nucleus?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The three common types of radioactive decay are alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay. Alpha decay reduces the atomic number by 2 and the mass number by 4, resulting in a new element. Beta decay changes the atomic number without affecting the mass number; beta-minus decay increases the atomic number by 1, while beta-plus decay decreases it by 1. Gamma decay releases energy without altering the nucleus's atomic number or mass number.

Step by step solution

01

Alpha Decay

In alpha decay, an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, which consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. This process reduces the atomic number of the nucleus by 2 and the mass number by 4. The result is a new element with a different atomic number and mass number than the original. For example, if an element with atomic number Z and mass number A undergoes alpha decay, we can represent the process as: \[^{A}_{Z}X \rightarrow ^{A-4}_{Z-2}Y + ^4_2\alpha\] where X is the original element, Y is the new element, and ^4_2\alpha is the emitted alpha particle.
02

Beta Decay

Beta decay is divided into two types: beta-minus decay and beta-plus decay. In beta-minus decay, a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton, and an electron (also called a beta particle) is emitted. This process increases the atomic number by 1 while keeping the mass number constant. In beta-plus decay, a proton is converted into a neutron, and a positron (the antimatter counterpart of an electron) is emitted. This process decreases the atomic number by 1 while keeping the mass number constant. The respective processes can be represented as: \[- \text{Beta-minus decay: } ^{A}_{Z}X \rightarrow ^{A}_{Z+1}Y + ^0_{-1}\beta\] \[- \text{Beta-plus decay: } ^{A}_{Z}X \rightarrow ^{A}_{Z-1}Y + ^0_{+1}\beta\]
03

Gamma Decay

In gamma decay, an excited nucleus releases energy in the form of a gamma photon without changing its atomic number or mass number. The gamma photon has no charge and negligible mass, so it does not affect the composition of the nucleus. The process can be represented as: \[^{A}_{Z}X ^* \rightarrow ^{A}_{Z}X + \gamma\] where ^{A}_{Z}X ^* is the excited nucleus and ^{A}_{Z}X is the same nucleus in a lower energy state. To summarize, alpha decay reduces the atomic number and mass number of a nucleus, beta decay changes the atomic number without affecting the mass number, and gamma decay releases energy without altering the nucleus's atomic number or mass number.

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