Chapter 21: Problem 10
Give the symbol for (a) a proton, (b) a beta particle, (c) a positron.
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A radioactive decay series that begins with \({ }_{9}^{23} \mathrm{Th}\) ends with formation of the stable nuclide \({ }_{82}^{208} \mathrm{~Pb}\). How many alpha-particle emissions and how many beta-particle emissions are involved in the sequence of radioactive decays?
Nuclear scientists have synthesized approximately 1600 nuclei not known in nature. More might be discovered with heavy-ion bombardment using high-energy particle accelerators. Complete and balance the following reactions, which involve heavy-ion bombardments: (a) \({ }_{3}^{6} \mathrm{Li}+{ }_{29}^{56} \mathrm{Ni} \rightarrow\) ? (b) \(_{20}^{40} \mathrm{Ca}+{ }_{96}^{248} \mathrm{Cm} \ldots{ }_{62}^{147} \mathrm{Sm}+?\) (c) \(_{38}^{88} \mathrm{Sr}+{ }_{36}^{84} \mathrm{Kr} \ldots{ }_{46} 116 \mathrm{Pd}+?\) (d) \({ }_{20}^{40} \mathrm{Ca}+{ }_{92}^{238} \mathrm{U} \cdots{ } \rightarrow \frac{70}{30} \mathrm{Zn}+4_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n}+2 ?\)
An experiment was designed to determine whether an aquatic plant absorbed iodide ion from water. lodine\(131\left(t_{1 / 2}=8.02\right.\) days) was added as a tracer, in the form of iodide ion, to a tank containing the plants. The initial activity of a \(1.00-\mu \mathrm{L}\) sample of the water was 214 counts per minute. After 30 days the level of activity in a \(1.00-\mu \mathrm{L}\) sample was \(15.7\) counts per minute. Did the plants absorb iodide from the water? Explain.
Each statement below refers to a comparison between two radioisotopes, \(\mathrm{A}\) and \(\mathrm{X}\). Indicate whether each of the following statements is true or false, and why. (a) If the half-life for \(\mathrm{A}\) is shorter than the half-life for \(\mathrm{X}\), A has a larger decay rate constant. (b) If \(X\) is "notradioactive," its half-life is essentially zero. (c) If A has a half-life of 10 years, and \(\mathrm{X}\) has a half-life of 10,000 years, A would be a more suitable radioisotope to measure processes occurring on the 40 -year time scale.
When a positron is annihilated by combination with an electron, two photons of equal energy result. What is the wavelength of these photons? Are they gamma ray photons?
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