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How can radioactive decay change one element into another?
Radioactive decay occurs when the nucleus of an unstable element transforms into a more stable configuration by emitting particles or energy. During this process, the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus may change, leading to the formation of a different element. This transformation follows specific decay pathways that are governed by the elements' atomic structures and decay modes.
Why is the decay time of free neutrons so much shorter than of bound ones?
When bound inside of a nucleus, the instability of a single neutron to beta decay is balanced against the instability that would be acquired by the nucleus as a whole if an additional proton were to participate in repulsive interactions with the other protons that are already present in the nucleus. As such, although free neutrons are unstable, bound neutrons are not necessarily so. The same reasoning explains why protons, which are stable in empty space, may transform into neutrons when bound inside of a nucleus.
Nucleus has no electron yet can eject them.Why?
In beta decay (β⁻), a neutron converts to a proton, and emits an electron and an electron antineutrino. So the electron wasn't there from the start; it gets created as part of the beta decay.
What happens to the total number of nucleons during beta decay?
The total number of nucleons remains the same during beta decay. A neutron is converted into a proton and an electron (beta particle), so the total number of nucleons (protons + neutrons) stays constant.
What do heavy nuclei emit when they decay?
Heavy nuclei typically emit alpha particles (composed of two protons and two neutrons) or beta particles (electrons or positrons) during decay as they seek to become more stable by reaching a more balanced ratio of protons and neutrons.
What type of decay is involved when polonium -214 decays into lead -210?
Alpha decay is involved when polonium-214 decays into lead-210. In alpha decay, an alpha particle (2 protons and 2 neutrons) is emitted from the nucleus, reducing the atomic number by 2 and the mass number by 4.
What do alpha particles contain?
They are Helium nucleii so basically 2 protons and 2 neutrons
How can radioactive decay change one element into another?
Radioactive decay occurs when the nucleus of an unstable element transforms into a more stable configuration by emitting particles or energy. During this process, the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus may change, leading to the formation of a different element. This transformation follows specific decay pathways that are governed by the elements' atomic structures and decay modes.
What happend to lone neutrons?
A neutron has a lifetime of about 15 minutes. This means that if you wait roughly 15 minutes there is a good chance the neutron will have decayed into other particles. So lone neutron just decay quickly, that is why there aren't any around. A neutron in an atomic nucleus is stable however (fortunately for us!).
Why is the decay time of free neutrons so much shorter than of bound ones?
When bound inside of a nucleus, the instability of a single neutron to beta decay is balanced against the instability that would be acquired by the nucleus as a whole if an additional proton were to participate in repulsive interactions with the other protons that are already present in the nucleus. As such, although free neutrons are unstable, bound neutrons are not necessarily so. The same reasoning explains why protons, which are stable in empty space, may transform into neutrons when bound inside of a nucleus.
Nucleus has no electron yet can eject them.Why?
In beta decay (β⁻), a neutron converts to a proton, and emits an electron and an electron antineutrino. So the electron wasn't there from the start; it gets created as part of the beta decay.
Why does gamma decay result in no mass loss for the atom?
A gamma decay is simply emission of a photon. Technically, there must be a tiny mass loss of E/c2 . Decay is not reallya goodword because there is no loss of electrons, neutrons or protons so the nucleus is unchanged in its make-up. There is of course energy decay.
Why is decay necessary?
Those elements undergo the 'decay' process which have unstable nuclei so decay is necessary to gain the stability. such elements form the smaller stable nuclei as Lead nucleus.
Will everything in the universe finally decay to nothing?
Some scientific theories suggest that over EXTREMELY long time periods, protons themselves can decay. If so, then a few trillion years from now, the universe may eventually decay into a sea of free neutrons.
How long will it take for 2G of tritium to decay into 2Mg?
Tritium is an isotope of Hydrogen. It has one proton and two neutrons. It decays into Helium or He. It takes 12 1/2 years for half of the original amount to decay into helium. It does not decay into magnesium. So the answer to your original question is forever.
Does alpha decay always decreases the number of protons by an even number?
Yes, an alpha radiation particle is 2 protons and 2 neutrons so for every alpha particle emitted the radioactive nuclide loses 2 protons.
What are two types of radioactive decay?
The two types of radioactive decay are alpha and beta. Generally, in alpha decay the nucleus will lose 2 protons and 2 neutrons (it's a helium nucleus). Beta decay involves a neutron losing an electron and becoming a proton, so the atomic mass remains the same, but the atomic number increases by one since there is another proton.
