Chapter 4, Problem 83A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The symbols of alpha, beta and gamma radiation needs to be determined. Also, the mass and charge needs to be determined.

Concept introduction:

There are three types of radioactive decay known in nature − alpha, beta and gamma ray decay.

Alpha radiation emission results in the change in the number of protons or neutrons of an atom.

Beta radiation or beta decay done by an atom to increase the number of protons.

When there is no change in the number of protons or neutron in a radioactive atom but it undergoes decay by releasing energy then this is known as gamma decay.

Explanation of Solution

• Alpha particles are represented by a, this is also known as helium nucleus because it contains two as atomic numbers and four as atomic mass like ₂He⁴. So the alpha particle having +2 charge.
• Beta particle, when the protons stay in the nucleus, increasing the atomic number of the atom by one, and having +1/-1 charge.
• Gamma ray production accompanies nuclear reaction of all types. Gamma rays are energy that has neutral charge.

Thus, the detail information of three types of radiations is as follows-

• Alpha particle (a), mass of alpha particle = 4 amu, charge on alpha particle = +2.
• Beta particle (ß), mass of beta particle = 1/2000 amu, charge on beta particle = +1/-1.
• Gamma ray ( ϒ), mass of gamma ray = 0, charge on gamma ray = (0) neutral.