Chapter 18, Problem 22E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Possible modes of decay for fluorine-21, fluorine-18, and fluorine-17 are to be identified.

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.

To determine: The possible modes of decay for fluorine-21, fluorine-18, and fluorine-17