High-mass radionuclides, which may be either alpha or beta emitters, belong to one of four decay chains, depending on whether their mass number A is of the form 4n, 4n + 1, 4n + 2, or 4n + 3, where n is a positive integer. (a) Justify this statement and show that if a nuclide belongs to one of these families, all its decay products belong to the same family. Classify the following nuclides as to family: (b) 235U, (c) 236U, (d) 238U, (e) 239Pu, (f) 240Pu, (g) 245Cm, (h) 246Cm, (i) 249Cf, and (j) 253Fm.
Radioactive decay
The emission of energy to produce ionizing radiation is known as radioactive decay. Alpha, beta particles, and gamma rays are examples of ionizing radiation that could be released. Radioactive decay happens in radionuclides, which are imbalanced atoms. This periodic table's elements come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Several of these kinds are stable like nitrogen-14, hydrogen-2, and potassium-40, whereas others are not like uranium-238. In nature, one of the most stable phases of an element is usually the most prevalent. Every element, meanwhile, has an unstable state. Unstable variants are radioactive and release ionizing radiation. Certain elements, including uranium, have no stable forms and are constantly radioactive. Radionuclides are elements that release ionizing radiation.
Artificial Radioactivity
The radioactivity can be simply referred to as particle emission from nuclei due to the nuclear instability. There are different types of radiation such as alpha, beta and gamma radiation. Along with these there are different types of decay as well.
High-mass radionuclides, which may be either alpha or beta
emitters, belong to one of four decay chains, depending on whether
their mass number A is of the form 4n, 4n + 1, 4n + 2, or 4n + 3,
where n is a positive integer. (a) Justify this statement and show that
if a nuclide belongs to one of these families, all its decay products belong
to the same family. Classify the following nuclides as to family:
(b) 235U, (c) 236U, (d) 238U, (e) 239Pu, (f) 240Pu, (g) 245Cm, (h) 246Cm, (i)
249Cf, and (j) 253Fm.
Since there are multiple sub-parts posted, we will answer the first three. If you want any specific sub-parts to be answered, please mention the sub-part number along with question and re-post it.
The mass number of a radionulide A, changes by 4 in an alpha decay and is unchanged in beta decay.
If, A=4n+k, then after alpha decay for x times, the mass number becomes
still in the same chain.
In the case of beta decay for x times, A=4n+k remains the same. The decay chain is still the same.
Therefore, if a nuclide belongs to one of the decay chain family, then all its decay products belongs to the same family.
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