Chapter 24, Problem 24.92P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Isotope present in the rock contaning ${}^{243}Am$ has to be given where it first undergoes alpha emission, then emission of ${\beta }^{-}$ and again an alpha emission.

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.

Balancing nuclear reaction equation: The balanced nuclear reaction should conserve both mass number and atomic number.

• The sum of the mass numbers of the reactants should be equal to the sum of mass numbers of the products in the reaction.
• The sum of atomic numbers (or the atomic charge) of the reactants should be equal to the sum of atomic numbers (or the atomic charge) of the products in the reaction.