Chapter 25, Problem 3E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

To write the equation for the decay of $\text{C}$ based on N-Z ratio

Concept introduction:

The N/Z ratio is correlated to the neutron-proton ratio which is the number of neutrons to a number of protons. This ratio increases when the atomic number increases.

The atomic number Z of each element is small that it occupies the first three shells. Hence the N/Z ratio of calcium is one while that for Hydrogen is zero and Helium is 0.5. By the radioactive decay process, the N/Z ratio changes to enhance stability. Hence, alpha decay enhances the N/Z ratio making it greater than 1. Similarly, beta decay decreases the ratio and positron emission decreases the ratio.