Decay by emission of nuclei such as 12C, 14C, etc., is energetically possible in the decay of many of the isotopes of the heaviest elements. Consider the case of the decay of 226 Ra. Estimate the ratio of the decay probability for 12C emission to that for a emission when both decays would lead to the ground states of the respective daughters. The only known nuclei with A = 7 are 3 Li (atomic mass = 7.01600 u) and Be (atomic mass = 7.01693 u). Which of these nuclei is stable to beta decay? What process is employed in the beta decay of the unstable nucleus to the stable nucleus?

Decay by emission of nuclei such as 12C, 14C, etc., is energetically possible in the decay of many of the isotopes of the heaviest elements. Consider the case of the decay of 226 Ra. Estimate the ratio of the decay probability for 12C emission to that for a emission when both decays would lead to the ground states of the respective daughters. The only known nuclei with A = 7 are 3 Li (atomic mass = 7.01600 u) and Be (atomic mass = 7.01693 u). Which of these nuclei is stable to beta decay? What process is employed in the beta decay of the unstable nucleus to the stable nucleus?