Q.5.61 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Write the balanced nuclear equation for each of the following: 

a. Th-225 ( $\alpha$ decay)

b. Bi-210($\alpha$decay)

c. cesium-137 ( $\beta$ decay)

d. tin-126 ( $\beta$ decay)

e. F-18( ${\beta }^{+}$emission )

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Part a) ${}_{90}^{225}\mathrm{Th}{\to }_{88}^{221}\mathrm{Ra}{+}_2^4\mathrm{He}$

Part b)${}_{83}^{210}\mathrm{Bi}{\to }_{81}^{206}\mathrm{Tl}{+}_2^4\mathrm{He}$

Part c)${}_{55}^{137}\mathrm{Ce}{\to }_{56}^{137}\mathrm{Ba}{+}_{-1}^0\beta$

Part d)${}_{50}^{126}\mathrm{Sn}{\to }_{51}^{126}\mathrm{Sb}{+}_{-1}^0\beta$

Part e)${}_9^{18}\mathrm{F}{\to }_8^{18}\mathrm{O}{+}_{+1}^0\beta$

(Part a) Step 1: Given Information

Alpha decay is a typical method of radioactive decay where a core discharges an alpha molecule.

The balanced nuclear equation for $\alpha$-decay of Th-225.

(Part a) Step 2: Explanation

The balanced nuclear equation is,

${}_{90}^{225}\mathrm{Th}{\to }_{88}^{221}\mathrm{Ra}{+}_2^4\mathrm{He}$

(Part b) Step 1: Given Information

Alpha decay is a typical method of radioactive decay where a core discharges an alpha molecule.

The balanced nuclear equation for $\alpha$-decay of Bi-210.

(Part b) Step 2: Explanation

The balanced nuclear equation is,

${}_{83}^{210}\mathrm{Bi}{\to }_{81}^{206}\mathrm{Tl}{+}_2^4\mathrm{He}$

(Part c) Step 1: Given Information

Beta-decay is a typical method of radioactive decay where a core discharges a beta molecule.

The balanced nuclear equation for the beta decay of cesium-$137$.

(Part c) Step 2: Explanation

The balanced nuclear equation is,

${}_{55}^{137}\mathrm{Ce}{\to }_{56}^{137}\mathrm{Ba}{+}_{-1}^0\beta$

(Part d) Step 1: Given Information

Beta-decay is a typical method of radioactive decay where a core discharges a beta molecule.

The balanced nuclear equation for the beta decay of tin-$126$.

(Part d) Step 2: Explanation

The balanced nuclear equation is,

${}_{50}^{126}\mathrm{Sn}{\to }_{51}^{126}\mathrm{Sb}{+}_{-1}^0\beta$

(Part e) Step 1: Given Information

Beta-decay is a typical method of radioactive decay where a core discharges a beta molecule.

The balanced nuclear equation for the beta decay of F-$18$

(Part e) Step 2: Explanation

The balanced nuclear equation is,

${}_9^{18}\mathrm{F}{\to }_8^{18}\mathrm{O}{+}_{+1}^0\beta$