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Chapter 33: Problem 46

The radioactive nucleus may emit: (a) all the three \(\alpha, \beta\) and \(\gamma\) radiations simultaneously (b) all the three \(\alpha, \beta\) and \(\gamma\), one after the other (c) only \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\) simultaneously (d) only one \(\alpha\) or \(\beta\) or \(\gamma\) at a time

Short Answer

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(b) all the three \(\alpha, \beta\) and \(\gamma\) , one after the other.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decay occurs when an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation. Common types of decay include alpha (\(\alpha\)), beta (\(\beta\)), and gamma (\(\gamma\)) decay. Each type of radiation is a different form of energy release from the nucleus.
02

Analyzing Emission Possibilities

A nucleus can emit different types of radiation based on its decay process. To determine what is possible, we need to understand that each decay leads to a new nucleus, and further decay processes may release different types of radiation.
03

Checking Feasibility of Simultaneous Emissions

Simultaneous emissions imply that during a single decay event, more than one type of radiation is released. This is generally rare since each type of decay results in a nuclear transition distinct from the others.
04

Considering Sequential Emissions

Nuclei may undergo successive transformations, releasing different types of radiation one after another. For example, a nucleus may first emit an \(\alpha\)-particle, and after forming a new nucleus, this may undergo \(\beta\)-decay, followed by \(\gamma\)-emission.
05

Conclusion on Emission Options

The most common sequence of events is the emission of different radiations over successive decays. Each decay is an individual event, thus typically allowing one emission type at a time from a single decay transition.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Alpha Radiation
Alpha radiation is a type of radioactive decay where an atomic nucleus releases an alpha particle. This particle consists of two protons and two neutrons, which is identical to a helium nucleus. Due to the mass and charge of alpha particles, they do not penetrate materials deeply. In fact, a sheet of paper or human skin can block them. However, they are very dangerous if ingested or inhaled, as they can cause significant damage to living tissue from within. Alpha radiation results in a new nucleus with a decreased atomic mass and atomic number by two. It's the largest and least penetrating form of the three basic types of nuclear emissions.
Beta Radiation
Beta radiation involves the emission of a beta particle from a radioactive nucleus. Beta particles can either be electrons (beta-minus decay) or positrons (beta-plus decay). In beta-minus decay, a neutron in the nucleus transforms into a proton, releasing an electron and an antineutrino. Consequently, the proton count increases, altering the element of the atom. In beta-plus decay, a proton is converted into a neutron, emitting a positron and a neutrino. This process lowers the atomic number by one but keeps the mass number the same. Beta particles are more penetrating than alpha particles and can pass through paper but are stopped by materials like plastic or thick clothing.
Gamma Radiation
Gamma radiation represents energy released from a radioactive nucleus in the form of high-energy photons. Unlike alpha and beta radiation, gamma rays carry no charge and do not have mass. This makes them the most penetrating form of radiation, capable of passing through several centimeters of lead or meters of concrete. Gamma radiation often accompanies alpha and beta decay, as the nucleus transitions from a higher to a lower energy state. Although the nucleus undergoing decay does not change in its elemental form, it releases energy to achieve stability. For this reason, gamma radiation is particularly effective in medical treatments and sterilization processes.
Nuclear Transition
Nuclear transitions involve the transformation of a nucleus from one energy state to another. This process appears as emission events, such as the release of alpha, beta, or gamma radiation. During a nuclear transition, the nucleus seeks a more stable state, which often requires the release of excess energy.
  • Each emission represents a shift in the arrangement, number, or energy level of particles within the nucleus.
  • The type of nuclear transition defines the kind of radiation emitted: either particles (alpha, beta) or electromagnetic waves (gamma).
Nuclear transitions are fundamental to understanding radioactive decay processes. These transitions are sometimes sequential, meaning different emissions may follow one another as the nucleus stabilizes over various decay steps.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

In a fusion process, a proton and a neutron combine to give a deuterium nucleus. If \(m_{n}\) and \(m_{p}\) be the masses of neutron and proton respectively, the mass of deuterium nucleus is : (a) equal to \(m_{n}+m_{p}\) (b) more than \(m_{n}+m_{p}\) (c) less than \(m_{n}+m_{p}\) (d) can be less than or more than \(\left(m_{n}+w_{p}\right)\)

According to drop model of nucleus which of the following cannot be explained? (a) Fission (b) Fusion (c) \(\alpha\) -spectrum (d) All of these

What is the total energy released during a fission reaction \({ }_{0}^{1} n+{ }_{92}^{235} \mathrm{U} \longrightarrow{ }_{92}^{236} \mathrm{U} \longrightarrow{ }_{40}^{98} \mathrm{Zr}+{ }_{52}^{136} \mathrm{Te}+2{ }_{0}^{1} n\) if the resulting fission fragments are unstable hence, decay into stable end products \(\stackrel{n}{42} \mathrm{M}_{0}\) and \({ }_{54}^{136}\) Xe by successive emission of \(\beta\) -particles? Take mass of neutron \(=1.0087 \mathrm{amu}\), mass of \(\mathbf{\omega}_{\mathbf{U}} \mathrm{U}=236.0439 \mathrm{amu}\), mass of \({ }_{42}^{98} \mathrm{M}_{0}=97.9054 \mathrm{am} \mathrm{u}\) and mass of \({ }_{54}^{136} \mathrm{Xe}=135.9170\) amu : (a) \(198 \mathrm{MeV}\) (b) \(220 \mathrm{MeV}\) (c) \(185 \mathrm{MeV}\) (d) \(230 \mathrm{MeV}\)

The most stable nucleus should have : (a) even number of protons and odd number of neutrons (b) odd number of neutrons and odd number of protons (c) even number of protons and even number of neutrons (d) even number of neutrons and odd number of protons

When the nucleus of \({ }^{\text {' }} \mathrm{U}_{92}\) disintegrates to give one nucleus of \({ }^{206} \mathrm{~Pb}_{82}\), the number of \(\alpha\) -particles emitted and the number of \(\beta\) -particles emitted are : (a) 4 and 8 respectively (b) 6 and 8 respectively (c) 8 and 6 respectively (d) 8 and 10 respectively
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