Question

Write nuclear reaction equations for

(i) α-decay of (ii) α-decay of

(iii) β⁻-decay of (iv) β⁻-decay of

(v) β⁺-decay of (vi) β⁺-decay of

(vii) Electron capture of

Answer 1

α is a nucleus of helium and β is an electron (e⁻ for β⁻ and e⁺ for β⁺). In every α-decay, there is a loss of 2 protons and 4 neutrons. In every β⁺-decay, there is a loss of 1 proton and a neutrino is emitted from the nucleus. In every β⁻-decay, there is a gain of 1 proton and an antineutrino is emitted from the nucleus.

For the given cases, the various nuclear reactions can be written as: