Which of the selections completes the following nuclear reaction? 40 y+ 20 Ca Ca+ 20

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**Which of the selections completes the following nuclear reaction?**

\[ \gamma + \, ^{40}_{20}\mathrm{Ca} \rightarrow \, ^{39}_{20}\mathrm{Ca} + \, \_\ \] 

**Explanation:**

This question pertains to nuclear reactions, specifically focusing on the transition involving a gamma photon (\(\gamma\)) and calcium-40 (\(^{40}_{20}\mathrm{Ca}\)). The equation depicts the transformation of calcium-40 into calcium-39 (\(^{39}_{20}\mathrm{Ca}\)) after interacting with a gamma photon.

### Analysis of the Nuclear Reaction:

1. **Reactants:**
   - **Gamma Photon (γ):** A high-energy form of electromagnetic radiation, represented by \(\gamma\).
   - **Calcium-40 (\(^{40}_{20}\mathrm{Ca}\)):** This is the isotope of calcium with 20 protons (hence, atomic number 20) and 20 neutrons, totaling an atomic mass of 40.

2. **Products:**
   - **Calcium-39 (\(^{39}_{20}\mathrm{Ca}\)):** This is the isotope of calcium with 20 protons (atomic number remains 20) and 19 neutrons, totaling an atomic mass of 39.
   - **Unknown Product (\_\):** The missing component that balances the nuclear equation.

### To Balance the Equation:

To figure out the unknown product, we use the principle of the conservation of mass and charge. The sum of the mass numbers (superscripts) and the atomic numbers (subscripts) on both sides of the equation must be equal.

**Mass Number Balance:**
\[ 0 (\gamma) + 40 (\mathrm{Ca}) = 39 (\mathrm{Ca}) + x \] 

Where \(x\) is the mass number of the unknown product.

Solving for \(x\):
\[ x = 40 - 39 = 1 \]

**Atomic Number Balance:**
\[ 0 (\gamma) + 20 (\mathrm{Ca}) = 20 (\mathrm{Ca}) + y \]

Where \(y\) is the atomic number of the unknown product:
\[ y = 20 - 20 = 0 \]

From this analysis, the unknown product must have a mass number of 1 and an atomic number of 0. This is indicative of a neutron
Transcribed Image Text:**Which of the selections completes the following nuclear reaction?** \[ \gamma + \, ^{40}_{20}\mathrm{Ca} \rightarrow \, ^{39}_{20}\mathrm{Ca} + \, \_\ \] **Explanation:** This question pertains to nuclear reactions, specifically focusing on the transition involving a gamma photon (\(\gamma\)) and calcium-40 (\(^{40}_{20}\mathrm{Ca}\)). The equation depicts the transformation of calcium-40 into calcium-39 (\(^{39}_{20}\mathrm{Ca}\)) after interacting with a gamma photon. ### Analysis of the Nuclear Reaction: 1. **Reactants:** - **Gamma Photon (γ):** A high-energy form of electromagnetic radiation, represented by \(\gamma\). - **Calcium-40 (\(^{40}_{20}\mathrm{Ca}\)):** This is the isotope of calcium with 20 protons (hence, atomic number 20) and 20 neutrons, totaling an atomic mass of 40. 2. **Products:** - **Calcium-39 (\(^{39}_{20}\mathrm{Ca}\)):** This is the isotope of calcium with 20 protons (atomic number remains 20) and 19 neutrons, totaling an atomic mass of 39. - **Unknown Product (\_\):** The missing component that balances the nuclear equation. ### To Balance the Equation: To figure out the unknown product, we use the principle of the conservation of mass and charge. The sum of the mass numbers (superscripts) and the atomic numbers (subscripts) on both sides of the equation must be equal. **Mass Number Balance:** \[ 0 (\gamma) + 40 (\mathrm{Ca}) = 39 (\mathrm{Ca}) + x \] Where \(x\) is the mass number of the unknown product. Solving for \(x\): \[ x = 40 - 39 = 1 \] **Atomic Number Balance:** \[ 0 (\gamma) + 20 (\mathrm{Ca}) = 20 (\mathrm{Ca}) + y \] Where \(y\) is the atomic number of the unknown product: \[ y = 20 - 20 = 0 \] From this analysis, the unknown product must have a mass number of 1 and an atomic number of 0. This is indicative of a neutron
### Types of Particles and Radiation

#### a. A Beta Particle
Beta particles are high-energy, high-speed electrons (negative beta) or positrons (positive beta) emitted by certain types of radioactive nuclei, such as potassium-40. The production of beta particles is termed beta decay.

#### b. A Neutron
Neutrons are subatomic particles with no electric charge, found in the nucleus of an atom. They are slightly more massive than protons. Neutron emission is a type of radioactive decay where a neutron is ejected from the nucleus.

#### c. A Positron
Positrons are the antimatter counterpart to electrons, with the same mass as an electron but a positive charge. They are emitted in certain types of radioactive decay or through particle interactions.

#### d. An Alpha Particle
Alpha particles are helium-4 nuclei, consisting of two protons and two neutrons. They are emitted during alpha decay, a type of radioactive disintegration where an unstable nucleus loses an alpha particle.

#### e. Gamma Radiation
Gamma radiation, or gamma rays, are high-frequency electromagnetic waves emitted from the atomic nucleus during radioactive decay. Unlike alpha and beta particles, gamma rays do not have mass or charge.

This information is vital for understanding different types of radiation and their properties, which is key in fields like nuclear physics, medicine (radiology), and radiation safety.
Transcribed Image Text:### Types of Particles and Radiation #### a. A Beta Particle Beta particles are high-energy, high-speed electrons (negative beta) or positrons (positive beta) emitted by certain types of radioactive nuclei, such as potassium-40. The production of beta particles is termed beta decay. #### b. A Neutron Neutrons are subatomic particles with no electric charge, found in the nucleus of an atom. They are slightly more massive than protons. Neutron emission is a type of radioactive decay where a neutron is ejected from the nucleus. #### c. A Positron Positrons are the antimatter counterpart to electrons, with the same mass as an electron but a positive charge. They are emitted in certain types of radioactive decay or through particle interactions. #### d. An Alpha Particle Alpha particles are helium-4 nuclei, consisting of two protons and two neutrons. They are emitted during alpha decay, a type of radioactive disintegration where an unstable nucleus loses an alpha particle. #### e. Gamma Radiation Gamma radiation, or gamma rays, are high-frequency electromagnetic waves emitted from the atomic nucleus during radioactive decay. Unlike alpha and beta particles, gamma rays do not have mass or charge. This information is vital for understanding different types of radiation and their properties, which is key in fields like nuclear physics, medicine (radiology), and radiation safety.
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