There are three beta decay modes for 40K, and so three equations.
The equation for the negative beta decay of 40K: 1940K --> 2040Ca + -10e
where the -10e represents a beta particle or electron.
The equation for the positive beta decay of 40K: 1940K --> 1840Ar+ 10e
where the 10e represents a positive beta particle or positron.
The equation for the decay of 40K by electron capture is:1940K + -10e --> 1840Ar + ve
There are three beta decay modes for 40K, and so three equations. The equation for the negative beta decay of 40K: 1940K --> 2040Ca + -10e where the -10e represents a beta particle or electron. The equation for the positive beta decay of 40K: 1940K --> 1840Ar+ 10e where the 10e represents a positive beta particle or positron. The equation for the decay of 40K by electron capture is:1940K + -10e --> 1840Ar + ve
The radioactive decay of potassium 40 produces in argon 40. The proportion of these two isotopes in rocks permit their age to be calculated.
40-Argon is formed by the radioactive decay of 40-Potassium. 40-Argon is stable so it could have been created from the potassium 4 billion years ago or yesterday; or even 5 nanoseconds ago.
3.9 x 10^9
Argon occurs as a result of the radioactive decay of 40K ( potassium 40 ) Potassium is common on Earth; about 1/60th of it's crust is potassium. Naturally occurring potassium is a mixture of three isotopes. Almost all of it is 39K and 41K, both of which are stable. About 1 atom in 10,000 is 40K, which is unstable. It has a very long half-life, >109 years; it decays to 40Ar which is stable.
The first decay products of potassium-40 are argon-40 and calcium-40.
The equation for the positive beta decay of 40K: 1940K --> 1840Ar + 10e where the e is a positive beta particle or positron.
There are three beta decay modes for 40K, and so three equations. The equation for the negative beta decay of 40K: 1940K --> 2040Ca + -10e where the -10e represents a beta particle or electron. The equation for the positive beta decay of 40K: 1940K --> 1840Ar+ 10e where the 10e represents a positive beta particle or positron. The equation for the decay of 40K by electron capture is:1940K + -10e --> 1840Ar + ve
Most argon is made by radioactive decay of potassium-40.
The radioactive decay of potassium 40 produces in argon 40. The proportion of these two isotopes in rocks permit their age to be calculated.
The radioactive decay of potassium 40 produces in argon 40. The proportion of these two isotopes in rocks permit their age to be calculated.
Most argon is made by radioactive decay of potassium-40.
The commonest form is formed by the radioactive decay of potassium-40.
Most argon is made by radioactive decay of potassium-40.
Argon-40, the most common isotope is formed by the radioactive decay of potassium-40.
Radio active parent elements decay to stable daughter elements i.e. the radio active parent Potassium 40 decays to Argon 40 Each radioactive isotope has it's own half life A half life is the time it takes for the parent radioactive element to decay to a daughter product, Potassium 40 decays to Argon 40 with a half life of 1 1/4 billion years. Therin lies the problem of storing nuclear waste
The brief answer is that the transformation is radioactive decay. Alpha and beta (+ and -) decay are decay modes for different isotopes of different elements. There are a number of examples of each type of decay.