Chapter 20, Problem 20.87QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Number of alpha emissions and number of beta emissions occurs in this decay series has to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Alpha emission ( $\text{α}$):

An unstable nucleus emits ${}_{\text{2}}^{\text{4}}\text{He}$ nucleus or alpha particle.

Example:

${}_{\text{88}}^{\text{226}}\text{Ra}\stackrel{}{\to }{}_{\text{86}}^{\text{222}}{\text{Rn + }}_{\text{2}}^{\text{4}}\text{He}$

The product nucleus has atomic number less two than the target nucleus and the mass number less four than target nucleus.

Beta emission ( $\text{β}$):

An unstable nucleus emits a high speed electron called beta emission.  This is the process of conversion of a neutron to proton.

${}_{\text{0}}^{\text{1}}\text{n}\stackrel{}{\to }{}_{\text{1}}^{\text{1}}{\text{p +}}_{\text{-1}}^{\text{0}}\text{e}$

Example:

${}_{\text{6}}^{\text{14}}\text{C}\stackrel{}{\to }{}_{\text{7}}^{\text{14}}{\text{N +}}_{\text{-1}}^{\text{0}}\text{e}$