When the element is stable. (apex)
Branching decay occurs in the thorium series because there are multiple pathways for the decay of thorium nuclei. Thorium can decay through alpha decay, beta decay, gamma decay, and other processes, leading to different end products with varying probabilities. These branching decay pathways contribute to the overall complexity of the thorium decay chain.
Decay Series
Decay series
Radium-226 (Ra-226) is part of the uranium series, also known as the uranium-radium series. This decay series begins with uranium-238 and ultimately leads to the formation of stable lead-206. Ra-226 is formed through the decay of radon-222, which is itself a product of radium-226 decay.
The stable isotope that results from the decay of radioactive elements varies depending on the specific element undergoing decay. For example, uranium-238 decays to lead-206, while carbon-14 decays to nitrogen-14. These stable isotopes are often the end products of a decay chain, where a series of transformations ultimately leads to a stable state. Each radioactive element has its unique decay pathway and stable end products.
Branching decay occurs in the thorium series because there are multiple pathways for the decay of thorium nuclei. Thorium can decay through alpha decay, beta decay, gamma decay, and other processes, leading to different end products with varying probabilities. These branching decay pathways contribute to the overall complexity of the thorium decay chain.
Usually called a 'decay chain', there is a series of radioactive decays which end with a stable isotope. Ex: uranium undergoes about 14 steps in the decay chain that ends with the formation of a stable isotope of Lead.
Decay Series
The decay chain in the uranium 238 series (also called radium series) id lead 206 (stable isotope).
Decay series
Decay Series
When the element is stable. (apex)
The natural isotope 227Ac decay: - by beta minus decay: to 227Th - by alpha decay: to 223Fr
When the element is stable. (apex)
Thorium decay chains are series of radioactive decays that thorium undergoes as it transforms into different elements. These decay chains ultimately lead to the production of stable isotopes of lead. Thorium decay chains are important in nuclear reactors and the study of radioactive decay processes.
The process is called decay, or sometimes nuclear decay. A link can be found below.
In the uranium series, 4n + 2 represents the decay process of uranium-238 (238U) where it undergoes alpha decay to form thorium-234 (234Th) by emitting an alpha particle. The equation indicates that for every 1 decay of uranium-238, 1 thorium-234 and 2 alpha particles are produced.