Book edition 10th Edition

Author(s) David Halliday

Pages 1328 pages

ISBN 9781118230718

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Short Answer

Figure 42-18 is a plot of mass number A versus charge number Z. The location of a certain nucleus is represented by a dot. Which of the arrows extending from the dot would best represent the transition were the nucleus to undergo (a) a $β$ decay and (b) a $α$ decay?

The arrows that would represent best for the nucleus that were to undergo $β$ decay are d and h.
The arrows that would represent best for the nucleus that were to undergo $α$ decay is g.

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Step by Step Solution

TABLE OF CONTENTS :

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Step 1: Given data

Figure 42-18 shows the graph of a mass number versus atomic number.

Step 2: Understanding the concept of decay

There are two decays that the radionuclides mostly undergo. That is an alpha decay and beta decay.

Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (helium nucleus) and also a different nucleus with a mass number that is reduced by four and an atomic number that is reduced by two.

Beta decay is a radioactive decay in which a beta ray is emitted from an atomic nucleus. During beta decay, the proton in the nucleus is transformed into a neutron or vice versa. If a proton is converted to neutron, it is known as beta-plus decay. Similarly, if a neutron is converted to a proton, it is known as beta-minus decay.

Step 3: a) Calculation of the arrows that represent beta decay

The radioactive decay of a nuclide through beta decay process are of two types. They are beta-minus decay and beta-plus decay.

The beta-minus decay is decay with products as a different nuclide, an electron and an anti-neutrino. That can be given as: $_{z}^{A} M \to_{z + 1}^{A} N + e^{-} + \bar{v}$

In the graph, the arrow may undergo beta-minus decay as their atomic number is increasing without any change to the mass number.

The beta-plus decay is decay with products as a different nuclide, a positron and a neutrino. That can be given as: $_{z}^{A} M \to_{z - 1}^{A} N + e^{-} + \bar{v}$

In the graph, the arrow may undergo beta-minus decay as their atomic number is increasing without any change to the mass number.

Hence, the arrows that represent beta decay are d and h.

Step 4: b) Calculation of the arrows that represent alpha decay

An alpha decay of a $_{z}^{A} M$ nuclide can be given as:

$_{z}^{A} M \to_{z + 1}^{A - 4} N +_{2}^{4} H e (α - p a r t i c l e)$

Here, the nuclides undergo a decrease in both the mass and atomic number simultaneously.

Hence, the arrow that best represent the alpha decay is g.

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Fundamentals Of Physics

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Short Answer

Figure 42-18 is a plot of mass number A versus charge number Z. The location of a certain nucleus is represented by a dot. Which of the arrows extending from the dot would best represent the transition were the nucleus to undergo (a) a $β$ decay and (b) a $α$ decay?

Step by Step Solution

Step 1: Given data

Step 2: Understanding the concept of decay

Step 3: a) Calculation of the arrows that represent beta decay

Step 4: b) Calculation of the arrows that represent alpha decay

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Short Answer

Figure 42-18 is a plot of mass number A versus charge number Z. The location of a certain nucleus is represented by a dot. Which of the arrows extending from the dot would best represent the transition were the nucleus to undergo (a) a β decay and (b) a α decay?

Step by Step Solution

Step 1: Given data

Step 2: Understanding the concept of decay

Step 3: a) Calculation of the arrows that represent beta decay

Step 4: b) Calculation of the arrows that represent alpha decay

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Figure 42-18 is a plot of mass number A versus charge number Z. The location of a certain nucleus is represented by a dot. Which of the arrows extending from the dot would best represent the transition were the nucleus to undergo (a) a $β$ decay and (b) a $α$ decay?