Q. 5.59 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Identify each of the following as alpha decay, beta decay, positron emission, or gamma emission: $(5.1,5.2)$

a. ${}_{13}{}^{27m} \mathrm{Al}⟶\frac{27}{13}\mathrm{Al}+{}_0{}^0\gamma$

b. ${}_5{}^8 \mathrm{B}\to {}_4{}^8\mathrm{Be}+{}_{-1}{}^{0}e$

c. ${}_{86}{}^{220}\mathrm{Rn}⟶{}_{84}{}^{216}\mathrm{Po}+{}_2{}^4\mathrm{Hc}$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Below, alpha decay, beta decay, positron emission or gamma emission are calculated.

(part a) gamma emission

(part b) positron emission

(part c) alpha decay

Step 1 -Introduction (part a)

(part a)

${{}_{13}\mathrm{Al}}^{27 \mathrm{m}}\to {{}_{13}\mathrm{Al}}^{27}+{{}_0\gamma }^0$

The  radioisotope aluminum $- 27 m$ decays by emitting gamma rays. The symbol $m$ is used to indicate metastable state.

Step 2- Explanation (part b)

(part b)

${{}_5 \mathrm{B}}^8\to {{}_4\mathrm{Be}}^8+{{}_{+1}\mathrm{e}}^0$

Boron$-8$radioisotope receives positron emissions to form stable nuclei of beryllium

$B e-8$

Step 3- calculation (part c)

(part c)

${{}_{86}\mathrm{Rn}}^{220}\to {{}_{84}\mathrm{PO}}^{216}+{{}_2\mathrm{He}}^4$

Radioisotope radon $- 220$ causes alpha decay to form  stable polonium nuclei

$\mathrm{PO}-216$