Chapter 18, Problem 20E

(a)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Progressive decay series of Thorium- $232$ ending up as lead- $208$ is given. Nuclear particle emitted in each step of the series is to be stated.

Concept introduction: Nuclei of radioactive element decompose in various ways. There are two major categories. One involves a change in mass number of the decaying nucleus while others do not. Types of radioactive processes include $\text{α}$ particle production, $\text{β}$ particle production, $\text{γ}$ ray production, electron capture and many others. Electron capture decay involves the capturing of one of the inner orbitals electrons by the nucleus.

Beta particle production decay involves the production of beta particle ${(}_{-1}^{0}e)$ that is assigned mass number zero.

A helium nucleus ${}_2^4\text{He}$ is produced in the alpha decay process.

Explanation of Solution

Alpha particle is emitted.

The parent nuclide is ${}^{232}\text{Th}$ and the nuclide after the emission of particles is ${}^{228}\text{Ra}$.

Since, there is change of $+4$ in the mass number of the resultant nuclide; this indicates that the particle emitted is an alpha particle.

(b)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Progressive decay series of Thorium- $232$ ending up as lead- $208$ is given. Nuclear particle emitted in each step of the series is to be stated.

Concept introduction: Nuclei of radioactive element decompose in various ways. There are two major categories. One involves a change in mass number of the decaying nucleus while others do not. Types of radioactive processes include $\text{α}$ particle production, $\text{β}$ particle production, $\text{γ}$ ray production, electron capture and many others. Electron capture decay involves the capturing of one of the inner orbitals electrons by the nucleus.

Beta particle production decay involves the production of beta particle ${(}_{-1}^{0}e)$ that is assigned mass number zero.

A helium nucleus ${}_2^4\text{He}$ is produced in the alpha decay process.

Explanation of Solution

Beta particle is emitted.

The parent nuclide is ${}^{228}\text{Ra}$ and the nuclide after the emission of particle is ${}^{228}\text{Ac}$. 

Since, there is no change in the mass number of the resultant nuclide; this indicates that the particle emitted is a beta particle.

(c)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Progressive decay series of Thorium- $232$ ending up as lead- $208$ is given. Nuclear particle emitted in each step of the series is to be stated.

Concept introduction: Nuclei of radioactive element decompose in various ways. There are two major categories. One involves a change in mass number of the decaying nucleus while others do not. Types of radioactive processes include $\text{α}$ particle production, $\text{β}$ particle production, $\text{γ}$ ray production, electron capture and many others. Electron capture decay involves the capturing of one of the inner orbitals electrons by the nucleus.

Beta particle production decay involves the production of beta particle ${(}_{-1}^{0}e)$ that is assigned mass number zero.

A helium nucleus ${}_2^4\text{He}$ is produced in the alpha decay process.

Explanation of Solution

Beta particle is emitted.

The parent nuclide is ${}^{228}\text{Ac}$ and the nuclide after the emission of particle is ${}^{228}\text{Th}$. 

Since, there is no change in the mass number of the resultant nuclide; this indicates that the particle emitted is a beta particle.

(d)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Progressive decay series of Thorium- $232$ ending up as lead- $208$ is given. Nuclear particle emitted in each step of the series is to be stated.

Concept introduction: Nuclei of radioactive element decompose in various ways. There are two major categories. One involves a change in mass number of the decaying nucleus while others do not. Types of radioactive processes include $\text{α}$ particle production, $\text{β}$ particle production, $\text{γ}$ ray production, electron capture and many others. Electron capture decay involves the capturing of one of the inner orbitals electrons by the nucleus.

Beta particle production decay involves the production of beta particle ${(}_{-1}^{0}e)$ that is assigned mass number zero.

A helium nucleus ${}_2^4\text{He}$ is produced in the alpha decay process.

Explanation of Solution

Alpha particle is emitted.

The parent nuclide is ${}^{228}\text{Th}$ and the nuclide after the emission of particle is ${}^{224}\text{Ra}$. 

Since, there is change of $+4$ in the mass number of the resultant nuclide; this indicates that the particle emitted is an alpha particle.

(e)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Progressive decay series of Thorium- $232$ ending up as lead- $208$ is given. Nuclear particle emitted in each step of the series is to be stated.

Concept introduction: Nuclei of radioactive element decompose in various ways. There are two major categories. One involves a change in mass number of the decaying nucleus while others do not. Types of radioactive processes include $\text{α}$ particle production, $\text{β}$ particle production, $\text{γ}$ ray production, electron capture and many others. Electron capture decay involves the capturing of one of the inner orbitals electrons by the nucleus.

Beta particle production decay involves the production of beta particle ${(}_{-1}^{0}e)$ that is assigned mass number zero.

A helium nucleus ${}_2^4\text{He}$ is produced in the alpha decay process.

Explanation of Solution

Alpha particle is emitted.

The parent nuclide is ${}^{224}\text{Ra}$ and the nuclide after the emission of particle is ${}^{220}\text{Rn}$ .

Since, there is change of $+4$ in the mass number of the resultant nuclide; this indicates that the particle emitted is an alpha particle.

(f)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Progressive decay series of Thorium- $232$ ending up as lead- $208$ is given. Nuclear particle emitted in each step of the series is to be stated.

Concept introduction: Nuclei of radioactive element decompose in various ways. There are two major categories. One involves a change in mass number of the decaying nucleus while others do not. Types of radioactive processes include $\text{α}$ particle production, $\text{β}$ particle production, $\text{γ}$ ray production, electron capture and many others. Electron capture decay involves the capturing of one of the inner orbitals electrons by the nucleus.

Beta particle production decay involves the production of beta particle ${(}_{-1}^{0}e)$ that is assigned mass number zero.

A helium nucleus ${}_2^4\text{He}$ is produced in the alpha decay process.

Explanation of Solution

Alpha particle is emitted.

The parent nuclide is ${}^{220}\text{Rn}$ and the nuclide after the emission of particle is ${}^{216}\text{Po}$

Since, there is change of $+4$ in the mass number of the resultant nuclide; this indicates that the particle emitted is an alpha particle.

(g)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Progressive decay series of Thorium- $232$ ending up as lead- $208$ is given. Nuclear particle emitted in each step of the series is to be stated.

Concept introduction: Nuclei of radioactive element decompose in various ways. There are two major categories. One involves a change in mass number of the decaying nucleus while others do not. Types of radioactive processes include $\text{α}$ particle production, $\text{β}$ particle production, $\text{γ}$ ray production, electron capture and many others. Electron capture decay involves the capturing of one of the inner orbitals electrons by the nucleus.

Beta particle production decay involves the production of beta particle ${(}_{-1}^{0}e)$ that is assigned mass number zero.

A helium nucleus ${}_2^4\text{He}$ is produced in the alpha decay process.

Explanation of Solution

Alpha particle is emitted.

The parent nuclide is ${}^{216}\text{Po}$ and the nuclide after the emission of particle is ${}^{212}\text{Pb}$

Since, there is change of $+4$ in the mass number of the resultant nuclide; this indicates that the particle emitted is an alpha particle.

(h)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Progressive decay series of Thorium- $232$ ending up as lead- $208$ is given. Nuclear particle emitted in each step of the series is to be stated.

Concept introduction: Nuclei of radioactive element decompose in various ways. There are two major categories. One involves a change in mass number of the decaying nucleus while others do not. Types of radioactive processes include $\text{α}$ particle production, $\text{β}$ particle production, $\text{γ}$ ray production, electron capture and many others. Electron capture decay involves the capturing of one of the inner orbitals electrons by the nucleus.

Beta particle production decay involves the production of beta particle ${(}_{-1}^{0}e)$ that is assigned mass number zero.

A helium nucleus ${}_2^4\text{He}$ is produced in the alpha decay process.

Explanation of Solution

Beta particle is emitted.

The parent nuclide is ${}^{212}\text{Pb}$ and the nuclide after the emission of particle is ${}^{212}\text{Bi}$

Since, there is no change in the mass number of the resultant nuclide. Thus, the particle emitted is a beta particle.

(i)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Progressive decay series of Thorium- $232$ ending up as lead- $208$ is given. Nuclear particle emitted in each step of the series is to be stated.

Concept introduction: Nuclei of radioactive element decompose in various ways. There are two major categories. One involves a change in mass number of the decaying nucleus while others do not. Types of radioactive processes include $\text{α}$ particle production, $\text{β}$ particle production, $\text{γ}$ ray production, electron capture and many others. Electron capture decay involves the capturing of one of the inner orbitals electrons by the nucleus.

Beta particle production decay involves the production of beta particle ${(}_{-1}^{0}e)$ that is assigned mass number zero.

A helium nucleus ${}_2^4\text{He}$ is produced in the alpha decay process.

Explanation of Solution

Beta particle is emitted.

The parent nuclide is ${}^{212}\text{Bi}$ and the nuclide after the emission of particle is ${}^{212}\text{Po}$

Since, there is no change in the mass number of the resultant nuclide. Thus, the particle emitted is a beta particle.

(j)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Progressive decay series of Thorium- $232$ ending up as lead- $208$ is given. Nuclear particle emitted in each step of the series is to be stated.

Concept introduction: Nuclei of radioactive element decompose in various ways. There are two major categories. One involves a change in mass number of the decaying nucleus while others do not. Types of radioactive processes include $\text{α}$ particle production, $\text{β}$ particle production, $\text{γ}$ ray production, electron capture and many others. Electron capture decay involves the capturing of one of the inner orbitals electrons by the nucleus.

Beta particle production decay involves the production of beta particle ${(}_{-1}^{0}e)$ that is assigned mass number zero.

A helium nucleus ${}_2^4\text{He}$ is produced in the alpha decay process.

Explanation of Solution

Alpha particle is emitted.

The parent nuclide is ${}^{212}\text{Po}$ and the nuclide after the emission of particle is ${}^{208}\text{Pb}$

Since, there is change of $+4$ in the mass number of the resultant nuclide; this indicates that the particle emitted is an alpha particle.

(k)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Progressive decay series of Thorium- $232$ ending up as lead- $208$ is given. Nuclear particle emitted in each step of the series is to be stated.

Concept introduction: Nuclei of radioactive element decompose in various ways. There are two major categories. One involves a change in mass number of the decaying nucleus while others do not. Types of radioactive processes include $\text{α}$ particle production, $\text{β}$ particle production, $\text{γ}$ ray production, electron capture and many others. Electron capture decay involves the capturing of one of the inner orbitals electrons by the nucleus.

Beta particle production decay involves the production of beta particle ${(}_{-1}^{0}e)$ that is assigned mass number zero.

A helium nucleus ${}_2^4\text{He}$ is produced in the alpha decay process.

Explanation of Solution

No particle is emitted.

The given species, that is ${}^{208}\text{Pb}$, is stable; hence, no particle is emitted.