Chapter 9, Problem 9.88CP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Polonium-214 on continue decay reaction forms X, Y, Z.  The X, Y, Z formed during the reaction 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.

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

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.

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