Hey there. It's been a while since I've posted, but anyways herro again. There are two parts to my question. First, let's start with the question.
Problem:The parent nuclide of the thorium decay series is 232 (OVER) 90 Th. The first four decays are: alpha particle emission, beta particle emission, beta particle emission, alphja particle emission. Write the nuclear equations for this series of emissions.
Question 1: What's the difference between Alpha and beta particle emissions? I think it has to do with if it gives off a proton or a neutron, but I could be wrong. Either way, can you give me an example of this please?
Question 2: How would I go about solving this problem? Whenever you can get the answer to me would be nice. I'm going to try to give my best educated guess so I'll have the homework done, but I'd like to know the correct way to do it for after the fact.
I've looked over my notes (the teacher gives us overheads to copy down and specifically says the book is a waste of time for the most part) and can't find anything about how to write the nuclear equation.
What I think I do know: To solve for nuclear disintegration you must do: reactants top & bottom = products top & bottom.
Help is appreciated! :)
I'll get back to you on this after I steal a chem book from someone, but I think alpha gives off a proton and beta a neutron. I'll try to post on this tomarrow.
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Beta particles are electrons. The symbol for that is 0 (OVER) 1 e^-.
Alpha particles are Helium atoms. The symbol for that is 4 (over) 2 He
And yes, you're trying to make the sums of the tops and bottoms for each side equal eachother.
A fairly simple example:
Write the balanced balanced equation to represent a beta emission by 19 (OVER) 17 Cl
19 (OVER) 17 Cl --> 19 (OVER) 18 Ar + 0 (OVER) 1 e^-
Soon you're gonna deal with gamma radiation as well, which is the emission of a photon. But my book doesn't go into that for some odd reason....
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"I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing."
"But," say Man, "the Babel fish is a dead giveaway, isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It
Boy do I feel stupid now. I can't belive I forgot that....
The hardest thing about riding horses is the ground
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don't worry, I did too. Had to look it up in my chem book :p
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"I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing."
"But," say Man, "the Babel fish is a dead giveaway, isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It
Thank you.