Question

Determine the type of radioactive decay that corresponds to the given combination of Parent and Daughter Nuclei. Use the web or your book to a find a copy of the periodic table to help with this problem.

Alpha Decay

Beta+ Decay

Beta- Decay

Gamma Decay

1.Parent: ⁸He, Daughter: ⁸Li

2.Parent: ²³⁵U, Daughter: ²³⁵U

3.Parent: ²³⁵U, Daughter: ²³¹Th

4.Parent: ¹⁵O, Daughter: ¹⁵N

5.Parent: ²⁴Na, Daughter: ²⁴Mg

Answer 1

Alpha decay -> Parent nuclei emits an alpha nuclei thereby transforms into daughter nuclei with mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less

=>Parent: ²³⁵U, Daughter: ²³¹Th

Beta- decay ->Parent nuclei emits an electron and thereby transforms into daughter nuclei with atomic number 1 more

=>Parent: ²⁴Na, Daughter: ²⁴Mg

Na- 11 atomic number, Magnesium ->12 atomic number

=>Parent: ⁸He, Daughter: ⁸Li

He-2 atomic number, Lithium ->3 atomic number

Beta + decay:Parent nuclei emits an positron(same as electron except with a positive charge e⁺) and thereby transforms into daughter nuclei with atomic number 1 less

=>Parent: ¹⁵O, Daughter: ¹⁵N

Oxygen ->8 atomic number, N->7 atomic number

Gamma decay:Some unstable atom dissipates energy(photons) to become stable atom.

As no neutrons or protons are emitted it remains the same atom

=>Parent: ²³⁵U, Daughter: ²³⁵U