Beta particle decay

How would you write balanced nuclear equations for the alpha particle decay of radium-226 and the beta particle decay of iodine-131 ... 

Data Table 8.7 Alpha- and beta-particle decay study... 

The decay scheme of the naturally occurring radionuclide (see Fig. 9.6) is 89.1% by beta-particle emission, 10.9% by electron capture, and 0.001% by positron decay. The 1311-keV maximum-energy beta-particle decay is to the ground state of " °Ca. Electron-capture decay is followed instantaneously by emission of a 1461-keV gamma ray from the excited state of °Ar to its ground state. Electron capture decay to the ground state is 0.2% per disintegration. 

Quantities of plutonium-241, a beta-particle emitter, can be quantified from (1) assumed isotopic abundance ratios, (2) estimated in-growth of its progeny americion-241 by gamma spectrometry, or by (3) mass spectrometry (Bernhardt 1976). Americium-241 is produced from the beta decay of plutonium-241 and, therefore, can be used to indirectly measure the concentration of plutonium-241 (Metz and Waterbury 1962). Direct determination of plutonium-241 by measurement of its low energy beta-particle decay has been reported using liquid scintillation analysis (Martin 1986). 

According to the decay scheme of the 4n + 2 series (Figure 1.3, later in the chapter), uranium-238 emits an alpha particle that is followed by two consecutive beta particle decays to form U-234 ... 

The radioactive isotope of 13AI has a characteristic decay process that includes the release of a beta particle and a gamma ray. 

Beta particles and photon emitters none 4 millirems per year Increased risk of cancer Decay of natural and manmade deposits... 

Lead-210 has a half-life of 20.4 years. This isotope decays by beta particle emission. A counter registers 1.3 X 104 disintegrations in five minutes. How many grams of Pb-210 are there ... 

There are three common ways by which nuclei can approach the region of stability (1) loss of alpha particles (a-decay) (2) loss of beta particles (/3-decay) (3) capture of an orbital electron. We have already encountered the first type of radioactivity, a-decay, in equation (/0). Emission of a helium nucleus, or alpha particle, is a common form of radioactivity among nuclei with charge greater than 82, since it provides a mechanism by which these nuclei can be converted to new nuclei of lower charge and mass which lie in the belt of stability. The actinides, in particular, are very likely to decay in this way. 

Nuclei that have a neutron-proton ratio which is so high that they lie outside the belt of stable nuclei often decay by emission of a negative electron (a beta particle) from the nucleus. This effectively changes a neutron to a proton within the nucleus. Two examples are... 

Neutron activation reactions have also been considered for mine detection. Here a radioactive element is produced in the mine which in the process of decay, emits nuclear radiation, either alpha or beta particles or yrays or two of these or all three in combination. For buried mines the penetrating 7iays are of most in-... 

Beer s law The absorbance of electromagnetic radiation by a sample is proportional to the molar concentration of the absorbing species and the length of the sample through which the radiation passes, beta (P) decay Nuclear decay due to fi-particle emission, beta (P) particle A fast electron emitted from a nucleus in a radioactive decay. 

Because exposure to radiation is a health risk, the administration of radioactive isotopes must be monitored and controlled carefully. Isotopes that emit alpha or beta particles are not used for Imaging, because these radiations cause substantial tissue damage. Specificity for a target organ is essential so that the amount of radioactive material can be kept as low as possible. In addition, an Isotope for medical Imaging must have a decay rate that is slow enough to allow time to make and administer the tracer compound, yet fast enough rid the body of radioactivity in as short a time as possible. 

Another example is when the lead-210 isotope decays to bismuth by emitting a beta particle ... 

Beta particles Energetic electrons emitted in radioactive decay. 

Neutrino (V)—A neutral particle of infinitesimally small rest mass emitted during beta plus or beta minus decay. This particle accounts for conservation of energy in beta plus and beta minus decays. It plays no role in damage from radiation. 

The numerical combination of protons and neutrons in most nuclides is such that the nucleus is quantum mechanically stable and the atom is said to be stable, i.e., not radioactive however, if there are too few or too many neutrons, the nucleus is unstable and the atom is said to be radioactive. Unstable nuclides undergo radioactive transformation, a process in which a neutron or proton converts into the other and a beta particle is emitted, or else an alpha particle is emitted. Each type of decay is typically accompanied by the emission of gamma rays. These unstable atoms are called radionuclides their emissions are called ionizing radiation and the whole property is called radioactivity. Transformation or decay results in the formation of new nuclides some of which may themselves be radionuclides, while others are stable nuclides. This series of transformations is called the decay chain of the radionuclide. The first radionuclide in the chain is called the parent the subsequent products of the transformation are called progeny, daughters, or decay products. 

Two of these isotopes, carbon-12, the most abundant, and carbon-13 are stable. Carbon-14, on the other hand, is an unstable radioactive isotope, also known as radiocarbon, which decays by the beta decay process a beta particle is emitted from the decaying atomic nucleus and the carbon-14 atom is transformed into an isotope of another element, nitrogen-14, N-14 for short (chemical symbol 14N), the most common isotope of nitrogen ... 

Organic scintillation phosphors include naphthalene, stilbene, and anthracene. The decay time of this type of phosphor is approximately 10 nanoseconds. This type of crystal is frequently used in the detection of beta particles. 

Beta (—) decay ( ). When we consider 146C, we see that the nucleus contains six protons and eight neutrons. This is somewhat "rich" in neutrons, so the nucleus is unstable. Decay takes place in a manner that decreases the number of neutrons and increases the number of protons. The type of decay that accomplishes this is the emission of a (3 particle as a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton. The (3 particle is simply an electron. The beta particle that is emitted is an electron that is... 

Radioactive decay is a nuclear process from an intrinsically unstable nucleus that emits alpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays. The loss of mass from the nucleus changes the element to one of a lower mass. Carbon dating uses the decay of the 14C nucleus, a heavy and unstable isotope of carbon, to become the stable 14N isotope. The overall process is written ... 

The beta particle emitted during radioactive decay is an energetic electron. 

---