Chapter 20, Problem 125RQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The isotope ${}^{36}\text{Cl}$ is more reactive than ${}^{35}\text{Cl}$ and ${}^{37}\text{Cl}$ is to be explained. Also, the isotopes that are formed during the beta emission process of isotope decay and the nuclear equation that shows the respective decay process is to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

The radioactive isotopes are referred as unstable elements because they remain associated with large amount of nuclear energy. The elements that have atomic numbers less than 83 are able to remain in low energy that is they have stable isotopes whereas elements lie above atomic number 83, generally do not have stable isotopes, as they are radioactive isotopes.

If the total number of nucleons of an element is a multiple of 2, then the given element will always form a stable isotope. But, if the given element is associated with an odd number of nucleons then the isotope formed by that element will have high energy state. The criteria of the odd-even rule is based on the spinning of both the protons and neutrons. The paired spin arrangement makes the nucleus stable due to the lower energy spin whereas the unpaired one usually increases the energy of the nucleus.