Chapter 1, Problem 1.113CHP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The balance nuclear equation for the decay of $\text{Ac}$ by each given nuclear process has to be written.

Concept introduction:

• Beta decay is the emission of an electron and the simultaneous conversion of a neutron into a proton in the nucleus.  So increase the atomic number by one.
• When the beta emission a neutron is converted to a proton and the atomic number increases.

Beta Decay: ${}_{\text{6}}^{\text{14}}\text{C}\to \text{N}\text{+}\text{e}$

Electron capture is the capture of a surrounding electron by a proton in the nucleus. The process is accompanied by the emission of g rays and results in the conversion of a proton in the nucleus into a neutron.

Electron capture: $\text{Co}\text{+}\text{e}\to \text{Fe}\text{+}\text{υ}$

Alpha Decay:

• The nuclear disintegration process that emits alpha particles is called alpha decay. An example of a nucleus that undergoes alpha decay is ${}^{\text{238}}\text{U}$
• Alpha Decay: ${}_{\text{92}}^{\text{238}}\text{U}\to \text{H}\text{e}\text{+}\text{T}\text{h}$