Potassium (Z = 19) has three primary isotopes: K-39, K-40, and K-41 a. Determine the most likely type of nuclear decay that K-40 undergoes and write the balanced nuclear equation for one of these decays. b. Potassium-argon (K-Ar) dating is commonly used to determine the age of a sample by measuring the amount of Ar-40 present which was produced by the radioactive decay of K-40. Write the balanced nuclear reaction to show how K-40 becomes Ar-40.

Chemistry: The Molecular Science
5th Edition
ISBN:9781285199047
Author:John W. Moore, Conrad L. Stanitski
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Chapter18: Nuclear Chemistry
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Potassium (Z = 19) has three primary isotopes: K-39, K-40, and K-41

a. Determine the most likely type of nuclear decay that K-40 undergoes and write the balanced nuclear equation for one of these decays.

b. Potassium-argon (K-Ar) dating is commonly used to determine the age of a sample by measuring the amount of Ar-40 present which was produced by the radioactive decay of K-40. Write the balanced nuclear reaction to show how K-40 becomes Ar-40.

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