Chapter 9.2, Problem 9.11P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The nuclear reaction of iridium-192 with an emission of beta and gamma particle has to be given.

Concept Introduction:

Beta decay 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.

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

Gamma particle:

Gamma rays are emitted by most radioactive sources along with alpha or beta particles after alpha or beta emission the remaining nucleus may still be in an excited energy state by releasing a gamma photon it reduces to a lower energy state.  Gamma rays have no electrical charge associated with them.