Chapter 20, Problem 40R

(a)

To determine

To identify: The type of nuclear radiation emitted in given transmutation.

Answer to Problem 40R

Alpha particle radiation is emitted in uranium-238 to thorium-234 transmutation.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The process of decaying a nucleus and emitting radiation and energy is called radioactivity. It emits mainly three types of radiations; alpha, beta and gamma radiations which are associated with energy change.

Uranium-238 to thorium-234 transmutation can be written as:

  $U{}^{238}\to T{h}^{234}+H{e}^4$

As it is shown above, unstable parent nucleus $(U{}^{238})$ decays an alpha particle $(H{e}^4)$ to produce stable daughter nucleus $(T{h}^{234})$ .

Conclusion:

Thus, alpha particle radiation is emitted in uranium-238 to thorium-234 transmutation.

(b)

To determine

To identify: The type of nuclear radiation emitted in given transmutation.

Answer to Problem 40R

Beta particle radiation is emitted in boron-12 to carbon-12 transmutation.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The process of decaying a nucleus and emitting radiation and energy is called radioactivity. It emits mainly three types of radiations; alpha, beta and gamma radiations which are associated with energy change.

Boron-12 to carbon-12 transmutation can be written as:

  $B{}^{12}\to C{}^{12}+{\beta }^{-}$

As it is shown above, unstable parent nucleus $(B{}^{12})$ decays an beta particle $({\beta }^{-})$ to produce stable daughter nucleus $(C{}^{12})$ .

Conclusion:

Thus, beta particle radiation is emitted in boron-12 to carbon-12 transmutation.

(c)

To determine

To identify: The type of nuclear radiation emitted in given transmutation.

Answer to Problem 40R

No radiation emitted in cesium-130 to cesium-130 transmutation.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The process of decaying a nucleus and emitting radiation and energy is called radioactivity. It emits mainly three types of radiations; alpha, beta and gamma radiations which are associated with energy change.

Cesium-130 to cesium-130 transmutation can be written as:

  $C{s}^{130}\to C{s}^{130}$

As it is shown above, no change in cesium before and after transmutation hence no radiation emitted.

Conclusion:

Thus, no radiation emitted in cesium-130 to cesium-130 transmutation.

(d)

To determine

To identify: The type of nuclear radiation emitted in given transmutation.

Answer to Problem 40R

Alpha particle radiation is emitted in radium-226 to radon-222 transmutation.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The process of decaying a nucleus and emitting radiation and energy is called radioactivity. It emits mainly three types of radiations; alpha, beta and gamma radiations which are associated with energy change.

Radium-226 to radon-222 transmutation can be written as:

  $R{a}^{226}\to R{n}^{222}+H{e}^4$

As it is shown above, unstable parent nucleus $(R{a}^{226})$ decays an alpha particle $(H{e}^4)$ to produce stable daughter nucleus $(R{n}^{222})$ .

Conclusion:

Thus, alpha particle radiation is emitted in radium-226 to radon-222 transmutation.