Lead-210, beta emission from

Write an equation for beta emission from a lead-210 nucleus. 

Plutonium has a short half-life (24,360 years), so any plutonium initially in Earth s crust has long since decayed. The same is true for any heavier elements with even shorter half-lives from which plutonium might originate. Trace amounts of plutonium can occur naturally in U-238 concentrations, however, as a result of neutron capture, where U-238 becomes U-239 and after beta emission becomes Np-239 and after further beta emission becomes Pu-239. (There are elements in Earth s crust with half-lives even shorter than plutonium s, but these are the products of uranium decay—between uranium and lead in the periodic table of elements.)... 

A puzzling observation that led to the discovery of isotopes was the fact that lead obtained from uranium-containing ores had an atomic mass lower by two full atomic mass units than lead obtained from thorium-containing ores. Explain this result, using the fact that decay of radioactive uranium and thorium to stable lead occurs via alpha and beta emission. 

The nuclear reactor also must be shielded against the emission of radioactive material to the external environment. Suitable radiation controls include both thermal and biological shielding systems. Radiation from alpha particles (a rays) and beta particles ((3 rays) has little penetrating power, but gamma rays have deep penetration properties. Neutron radiation is, however, the primary area of risk. Typically, extremely thick concrete walls are used as a neutron absorber, but lead-lined concrete and special concretes are also used. 

Internal transition involves the emission of electromagnetic radiation in the form of gamma (y) rays from a nucleus in a metastable state and always follows initial alpha or beta decay. Emission of gamma radiation leads to no further change in atomic number or mass. 

In the series of decompositions from uranium (Z = 92) to lead (Z = 82) a nucleus may undergo seven alpha emissions. How many transformations with emission of a beta particle must it undergo ... 

---