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There are three common types of radiation and nuclear changes

There are three common types of radiation and nuclear changes

Chemistry
Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: Define and explain the differences between the following terms. a. law and theory b. theory and...
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There are three common types of radiation and nuclear changes: Note: I want a short answer that does not exceed 3 lines, please
AL-ESRAA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE There are three common types of radiation and nuclear changes: Alpha Radiation (a) is the emission of an alpha particle from an atom's nucleus. An a particle contains two protons and two neutrons (and is similar to a He nucleus: 2 He). When an atom emits a particle, the atom's atomic mass will decrease by four units (because two protons and two neutrons are lost) and the atomic number (z) will decrease by two units. The element is said to "transmutate" into another element that is two z units smaller. An example of an a transmutation takes place when uranium decays into the element thorium (Th) by emitting an alpha particle, as depicted in the following equation: 238 234 4 U→ He + 2 92 0 Ce+ -1 (Note: in nuclear chemistry, element symbols are traditionally preceded by their atomic weight [upper left] and atomic number [lower left].) Beta Radiation (3) is the transmutation of a neutron into 14 Th 90 0 a proton and an electron (followed by the emission of the electron from the atom's nucleus: -1 When an atom emits a ß particle, the atom's mass will not change (since there is no change in the total number of nuclear particles); however, the atomic number will increase by one (because the neutron transmutated into an additional proton). An example of this is the decay of the isotope of carbon called carbon-14 into the element nitrogen: 14 Dr. Maad Abdullah Hussein N 7 6 Gamma Radiation (y) involves the emission of electromagnetic energy (similar to light energy) from an atom's nucleus. No particles are emitted during gamma radiation, and thus gamma radiation does not itself cause the transmutation of atoms; however, y radiation is often emitted during, and simultaneous to, a or ß radioactive decay. X-rays, emitted during the beta decay of cobalt-60, are a common example of gamma radiation.
Transcribed Image Text:AL-ESRAA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE There are three common types of radiation and nuclear changes: Alpha Radiation (a) is the emission of an alpha particle from an atom's nucleus. An a particle contains two protons and two neutrons (and is similar to a He nucleus: 2 He). When an atom emits a particle, the atom's atomic mass will decrease by four units (because two protons and two neutrons are lost) and the atomic number (z) will decrease by two units. The element is said to "transmutate" into another element that is two z units smaller. An example of an a transmutation takes place when uranium decays into the element thorium (Th) by emitting an alpha particle, as depicted in the following equation: 238 234 4 U→ He + 2 92 0 Ce+ -1 (Note: in nuclear chemistry, element symbols are traditionally preceded by their atomic weight [upper left] and atomic number [lower left].) Beta Radiation (3) is the transmutation of a neutron into 14 Th 90 0 a proton and an electron (followed by the emission of the electron from the atom's nucleus: -1 When an atom emits a ß particle, the atom's mass will not change (since there is no change in the total number of nuclear particles); however, the atomic number will increase by one (because the neutron transmutated into an additional proton). An example of this is the decay of the isotope of carbon called carbon-14 into the element nitrogen: 14 Dr. Maad Abdullah Hussein N 7 6 Gamma Radiation (y) involves the emission of electromagnetic energy (similar to light energy) from an atom's nucleus. No particles are emitted during gamma radiation, and thus gamma radiation does not itself cause the transmutation of atoms; however, y radiation is often emitted during, and simultaneous to, a or ß radioactive decay. X-rays, emitted during the beta decay of cobalt-60, are a common example of gamma radiation.
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