Chapter 19: Problem 3
Which type of radioactive decay has the net effect of changing a neutron into a proton? Which type of decay has the net effect of turning a proton into a neutron?
/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}
Learning Materials
Features
Discover
Chapter 19: Problem 3
Which type of radioactive decay has the net effect of changing a neutron into a proton? Which type of decay has the net effect of turning a proton into a neutron?
All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.
Get started for free
Estimate the temperature needed to achieve the fusion of deuterium to make an \(\alpha\) particle. The energy required can be estimated from Coulomb's law [use the form \(E=9.0 \times 10^{9}\) \(\left(Q_{1} Q_{2} / r\right)\), using \(Q=1.6 \times 10^{-19} \mathrm{C}\) for a proton, and \(r=2 \times\) \(10^{-15} \mathrm{~m}\) for the helium nucleus; the unit for the proportionality constant in Coloumb's law is \(\left.\mathrm{J} \cdot \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{C}^{2}\right]\).
Phosphorus- 32 is a commonly used radioactive nuclide in biochemical research, particularly in studies of nucleic acids. The half-life of phosphorus-32 is \(14.3\) days. What mass of phosphorus32 is left from an original sample of \(175 \mathrm{mg} \mathrm{Na}_{3}{ }^{32} \mathrm{PO}_{4}\) after \(35.0\) days? Assume the atomic mass of \({ }^{32} \mathrm{P}\) is \(32.0\).
Which do you think would be the greater health hazard: the release of a radioactive nuclide of Sr or a radioactive nuclide of Xe into the environment? Assume the amount of radioactivity is the same in each case. Explain your answer on the basis of the chemical properties of \(\mathrm{Sr}\) and Xe. Why are the chemical properties of a radioactive substance important in assessing its potential health hazards?
When nuclei undergo nuclear transformations, \(\gamma\) rays of characteristic frequencies are observed. How does this fact, along with other information in the chapter on nuclear stability, suggest that a quantum mechanical model may apply to the nucleus?
The mass ratios of \({ }^{40}\) Ar to \({ }^{40} \mathrm{~K}\) also can be used to date geologic materials. Potassium- 40 decays by two processes: $$\begin{array}{l}{ }_{19}^{40} \mathrm{~K}+{ }_{-1}^{0} \mathrm{e} \longrightarrow{ }_{18}^{40} \mathrm{Ar}(10.7 \%) \quad t_{1 / 2}=1.27 \times 10^{9} \text { years } \\\\{ }_{19}^{40} \mathrm{~K} \longrightarrow{ }_{20}^{40} \mathrm{Ca}+{ }_{-1}^{0} \mathrm{e}(89.3 \%) & \end{array}$$ a. Why are \({ }^{40} \mathrm{Ar} /{ }^{40} \mathrm{~K}\) ratios used to date materials rather than \({ }^{40} \mathrm{Ca} /{ }^{40} \mathrm{~K}\) ratios? b. What assumptions must be made using this technique? c. A sedimentary rock has an \({ }^{40} \mathrm{Ar} /{ }^{40} \mathrm{~K}\) ratio of \(0.95 .\) Calculate the age of the rock. d. How will the measured age of a rock compare to the actual age if some \({ }^{40}\) Ar escaped from the sample?
What do you think about this solution?
We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.