Question 10 of 22 Radium (A = 226, Z=88) decays to Radon (A = 222, Z=86) with a half-life of 1600 years. What type of decay is this? alpha beta-minus beta-plus gamma not enough information given
Question 10 of 22 Radium (A = 226, Z=88) decays to Radon (A = 222, Z=86) with a half-life of 1600 years. What type of decay is this? alpha beta-minus beta-plus gamma not enough information given
College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
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![### Radioactive Decay Question
#### Question 10 of 22:
Radium (A = 226, Z = 88) decays to Radon (A = 222, Z = 86) with a half-life of 1600 years. What type of decay is this?
- **alpha**
- **beta-minus**
- **beta-plus**
- **gamma**
- **not enough information given**
**Explanation:**
- **Alpha Decay**: In alpha decay, an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (2 protons and 2 neutrons). This decreases the atomic mass number (A) by 4 and the atomic number (Z) by 2, resulting in A = 222 and Z = 86.
- **Beta-minus Decay**: In beta-minus decay, a neutron is converted into a proton, increasing the atomic number (Z) by 1, but the atomic mass number (A) remains the same.
- **Beta-plus Decay**: In beta-plus decay, a proton is converted into a neutron, decreasing the atomic number (Z) by 1, but the atomic mass number (A) remains the same.
- **Gamma Decay**: In gamma decay, there is no change in the atomic mass number (A) or atomic number (Z); it only releases energy.
Given the information, the decay of Radium to Radon, with a decrease in both atomic mass number (A) and atomic number (Z) by 4 and 2 respectively, is indicative of **alpha decay**.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2F45c459d4-c7f0-416a-8b1d-00b29b90700e%2F541406a9-de50-4a9f-a852-7d409bc88976%2Fhasry6_processed.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
Transcribed Image Text:### Radioactive Decay Question
#### Question 10 of 22:
Radium (A = 226, Z = 88) decays to Radon (A = 222, Z = 86) with a half-life of 1600 years. What type of decay is this?
- **alpha**
- **beta-minus**
- **beta-plus**
- **gamma**
- **not enough information given**
**Explanation:**
- **Alpha Decay**: In alpha decay, an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (2 protons and 2 neutrons). This decreases the atomic mass number (A) by 4 and the atomic number (Z) by 2, resulting in A = 222 and Z = 86.
- **Beta-minus Decay**: In beta-minus decay, a neutron is converted into a proton, increasing the atomic number (Z) by 1, but the atomic mass number (A) remains the same.
- **Beta-plus Decay**: In beta-plus decay, a proton is converted into a neutron, decreasing the atomic number (Z) by 1, but the atomic mass number (A) remains the same.
- **Gamma Decay**: In gamma decay, there is no change in the atomic mass number (A) or atomic number (Z); it only releases energy.
Given the information, the decay of Radium to Radon, with a decrease in both atomic mass number (A) and atomic number (Z) by 4 and 2 respectively, is indicative of **alpha decay**.
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