Chapter 10, Problem 10A.16E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The daughter nuclides and the balanced equation for the each step of radioactive decay of the Neptunium-237 have to be given.

Concept Introduction:

$\beta$emission reaction:

$\text{β}$ emission is a sub type of radioactive decay called beta decay in which a positron inside a radionucleus is converted into a neutron while releasing an electroneutrino.  Positron emission is mediated by the weak force.

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

Alpha decay reaction:

Alpha decay or $\text{ α}$-decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (helium nucleus) and thereby transforms into a different atomic nucleus with a mass number that is reduced by four and an atomic number that is reduced by two.

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