Chapter 18, Problem 21E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Mode of decay for iron- $53$ and iron- $59$, two radioactive isotopes of iron, is to be stated.

Concept introduction: Iron has many radioactive isotopes among which four are stable having mass numbers $54,56,57$ and $58$. Two radioactive isotopes of iron are iron- $53$ and iron- $59$. Nuclei of radioactive element decompose in various ways. Types of radioactive processes include $\text{α}$ particle production, $\text{β}$ particle production, $\text{γ}$ ray production, electron capture and many others. 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.

Positron ${}_1^0\text{e}$ is a particle with mass same as the electron, but its charge is opposite to that of electron.

To determine: The mode of decay for the isotope ${}^{53}\text{Fe}$.