Chapter 9, Problem 9.41AP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The balanced nuclear reaction for the decay of bismuth-214 to form polonium-214 and thallium-210 has to be given.

Concept Introduction:

Beta emission reaction:

Beta particles are electrons (electrons with negative electric charge). Beta decay occurs when in a nucleus with too many protons or too many neutrons, one of the protons or neutrons is transformed into the other.

  ${}_{\text{Z}}{\text{X}}^{\text{A}}{\stackrel{}{\to }}_{\text{Z+1}}{\text{X}}^{\text{A}}{\text{+}}_{\text{-1}}{\text{e}}^{\text{0}}$

Alpha decay reaction:

An alpha particle is a high energy particle that contains two protons and two neutrons.  An alpha particle is symbolized by the Greek letter alpha or the element symbol for helium has $\text{+2}$ charge and mass number of four.  If an alpha particle is emitted the mass of the nucleus decreased by four and the charge of the nucleus is decreased by two.

  ${}_{\text{Z}}{\text{X}}^{\text{A}}{\stackrel{}{\to }}_{\text{Z-2}}{\text{X}}^{\text{A-4}}{\text{+}}_{\text{2}}{\text{α}}^{\text{4}}$