What Is Alpha Decay Equation

What is alpha decay equation?

In α-decay, the mass number of the product nucleus (daughter nucleus) is four less than that of the decaying nucleus (parent nucleus), while the atomic number decreases by two. In general, the alpha decay equation is represented as follows: Z A X → Z − 2 A − 4 Y + 2 4 He.

What is alpha and beta decay?

Alpha decay – A common mode of radioactive decay in which a nucleus emits an alpha particle (a helium-4 nucleus). Beta decay – A common mode of radioactive decay in which a nucleus emits beta particles. The daughter nucleus will have a higher atomic number than the original nucleus.

What is alpha particle class 12?

Alpha particles are particles that consist of two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle identical to a helium-4 nucleus. They are generally produced in the process of alpha decay, but may also be produced in other ways. There is only one alpha particle, and that is the helium-4 nucleus.

What is the alpha decay of AC?

Actinium-225 (225Ac, Ac-225) is an isotope of actinium. It undergoes alpha decay to francium-221 with a half-life of 10 days, and is an intermediate decay product in the neptunium series (the decay chain starting at 237Np).

Why alpha decay?

Alpha decay occurs when a nucleus is unstable because it has too many protons. The Figure below shows what happens during alpha decay. The nucleus emits an alpha particle and energy. An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons, which is actually a helium nucleus.

What is the beta decay?

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 and vice versa. If a proton is converted to a neutron, it is known as β+ decay. Similarly, if a neutron is converted to a proton, it is known as β– decay.

What is alpha decay example?

Alpha decay. An example of this decay occurs in the uranium-238 nucleus that decays into thorium-234 nucleus. Alpha particle has a relatively large mass, positive electric charge, and poor radiation penetration, and it can be stopped by a paper sheet (Ilem-Ozdemir and Asikoglu, 2012).

What is beta decay equation?

The beta-decay reaction is written as: XNAZ⟶XN−1′AZ+1+e−+ˉν This is the β− decay. ( or negative beta decay) The underlying reaction is: n→p+e−+ˉν

What is the main difference between alpha and beta decay?

Alpha decay is the release of a helium nucleus, which is two protons and two neutrons. This decreases the total mass by 4 and the atomic number by 2 . Beta decay is the decay of a neutron into a proton, which releases an electron. This keeps the mass the same, but increases the atomic number by 1 .

How is alpha decay used in everyday life?

Alpha decay found application in smoke detectors. It is used in artificial heart pacemakers. Alpha decay provides high-energy radiation that kills chronic cancerous cells. Due to their short-range in tissue as compared to beta and gamma radiation, alpha decay provides no harm to healthy cells in radiation crossfire.

What is β in physics?

Beta particles (β) are high energy, high speed electrons (β-) or positrons (β+) that are ejected from the nucleus by some radionuclides during a form of radioactive decay called beta-decay. Beta-decay normally occurs in nuclei that have too many neutrons to achieve stability.

What is alpha in physics?

An alpha-particle is identical to the nucleus of a normal (atomic mass four) helium atom i.e. a doubly ionised helium atom. Alpha particles (also termed alpha radiation or alpha rays) was the first nuclear radiation to be discovered, beta particles and gamma rays were identified soon after.

How do you write a decay equation?

1. Step 1: Identify the element, its atomic mass and atomic number given in the problem. …
2. Step 2: Identify the type of radioactive decay.
3. Step 3: Write the element with the atomic mass and the atomic number on the left side of the equation.

What is a beta decay equation?

The beta-decay reaction is written as: XNAZ⟶XN−1′AZ+1+e−+ˉν This is the β− decay. ( or negative beta decay) The underlying reaction is: n→p+e−+ˉν