Chapter 11, Problem 11.86CP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The number of $\text{α}\text{and}\text{β}$ particles emitted during decay of $\text{Thorium-232}$ has to be identified.

Concept Introduction:

Nuclear reaction:

The nuclear reactions are the change in an atom’s nucleus that usually producing the different element.

Alpha decay:

It is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle, which is also known as helium nucleus.

An alpha particle is equal to the nucleus of a $\text{Helium}$ atom, which has two protons and two neutrons. It has a charge of $\text{+2 e}$ and a mass of $4 u$

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

Beta decay:

The $\text{β}$ emission includes the decomposition of a neutron to yield an electron and a proton.

${}_{\text{0}}^{\text{1}}\text{n}{\to }_{\text{1}}^{\text{1}}{\text{P+}}_{\text{-1}}^{\text{0}}\text{e}$

Where the electron $\left({}_{\text{-1}}^{\text{0}}\text{e}\right)$ is emitted as a $\text{β}$ particle and the proton is taken by the nucleus