24.1. Nuclear Radiation http://www.ck12.org
a.^2010 Ne and^1710 Ne
b.^9642 Mo and^9643 Tc
c.^4520 Ca and^4020 Ca
d.^19580 Hg and^19680 Hg- For each pair of elements listed, predict which one has more stable isotopes. Explain.
a. Co or Ni
b. Hg or Pb
c. Ag or Am
d. Sr or Y - Fill in the blanks for each of the nuclear reactions below. State the type of decay in each case.
a.^19879 Au→+−^01 e
b.^5727 Co+−^01 e→
c.^23092 U→+^42 He
d.^12856 Ba→++^01 e
e.^13153 I→^13154 Xe+
f.^23994 Pu→^23592 U+ - Write balanced nuclear reactions for each of the following.
a. Francium-220 undergoes alpha decay.
b. Arsenic-76 undergoes beta decay.
c. Uranium-231 captures an electron.
d. Promethium-143 emits a positron.
Further Reading / Supplemental Links
- The Discovery of Radioactivity, http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/Nuclear/radioactivity.htm
- Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Radiation, http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/Nuclear/AlphaBetaGamma.htm
- Penetrating Power of Ionizing Radiation, http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/Nuclear/penetration.htm
Points to Consider
The stability of a radioisotope is indicated by its half-life, which is the amount of time required for half of the nuclei
in a given sample to undergo a decay process.
- What is the range of half-lives for known isotopes?
- How can half-life be used to determine the age of objects, such as fossils or certain rocks and minerals?