Chapter 24, Problem 24.28P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Number of $\alpha$ and ${\beta }^{-}$ emissions per atom of Uranium-235 in a natural decay series that results in an atom of Lead-207 has to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

Nuclear reaction: A nuclear reaction in which a lighter nucleus fuses together into new stable nuclei or a heavier nucleus split into stable daughter nuclei with the release of large amount of energy.

Common particles in radioactive decay and nuclear transformations are mentioned below,

  $\begin{array}{cc}\text{Particle}& \text{Symbol}\\ \text{Proton}& {}_{\text{1}}^{\text{1}}\text{H}\text{or}{}_{\text{1}}^{\text{1}}\text{P}\\ \text{Neutron}& {}_{\text{0}}^{\text{1}}\text{n}\\ \text{Electron}& {}_{\text{-1}}^{\text{0}}\text{e}\\ \text{Alpha}\text{particle}& {}_{\text{2}}^{\text{4}}\text{He}\text{or}{}_{\text{2}}^{\text{4}}\text{α}\\ \text{Beta}\text{particle}& {}_{\text{-1}}^{\text{0}}\text{e}\text{or}{}_{\text{-1}}^{\text{0}}\text{β}\\ \text{Positron}& {}_{\text{1}}^{\text{0}}\text{e}\end{array}$