Beta type atoms

Atoms of the alpha type, which have neighbor atoms in the adjacent planes directly above and below, are shown with open circles. Atoms of the beta type, with no corresponding atoms in these planes, are shown with full circles. A view of the stacking sequence perpendicular to the basal plane is given in Fig. 3.2. 

Athene formation requires that X and Y be substituents on adjacent carbon atoms By mak mg X the reference atom and identifying the carbon attached to it as the a carbon we see that atom Y is a substituent on the p carbon Carbons succeedmgly more remote from the reference atom are designated 7 8 and so on Only p elimination reactions will be dis cussed m this chapter [Beta (p) elimination reactions are also known as i 2 eliminations ] You are already familiar with one type of p elimination having seen m Section 5 1 that ethylene and propene are prepared on an industrial scale by the high temperature dehydrogenation of ethane and propane Both reactions involve (3 elimination of H2... 

The most important types of radioactive particles are alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, and X-rays. An alpha particle, which is symbolized as a, is equivalent to a helium nucleus, fHe. Thus, emission of an alpha particle results in a new isotope whose atomic number and atomic mass number are, respectively, 2 and 4 less than that for the unstable parent isotope. 

The distribution of chlorine atoms along the polymer chain has been studied in great detail. The distribution in various functional types is shown in Table 4 (18). High density polyethylene chlorosulfonated to 35% G1 and 1% S has been found to contain only 1.7% highly active chlorines, ie, reactive to weak bases. AH of these are attributed to the chlorine in the sulfonyl chloride group and those in beta position to SO2GI. No vicinal chlorides groups were found (19). 

The interiors of protein molecules contain mainly hydrophobic side chains. The main chain in the interior is arranged in secondary structures to neutralize its polar atoms through hydrogen bonds. There are two main types of secondary structure, a helices and p sheets. Beta sheets can have their strands parallel, antiparallel, or mixed. 

The origin of the rays was initially a mystery, because the existence of the atomic nucleus was unknown at the time. However, in 1898, Ernest Rutherford took the first step to discover their origin when he identified three different types of radioactivity by observing the effect of electric fields on radioactive emissions (Fig. 17.4). Rutherford called the three types a (alpha), (3 (beta), and y (gamma) radiation. 

Beta Particle—An electron that is emitted from the nucleus of an atom during one type of radioactive transformation. A beta particle has a mass and charge equal in magnitude to that of the electron. The charge may be either +1 or -1. Beta particles with +1 charges are called positrons (symbolized (3+), and beta particles with -1 charges are called negatrons (symbolized (3 ). 

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. 

Sir Ernest Rutherford (1871-1937 Nobel Prize for chemistry 1908, which as a physicist he puzzled over) was a brilliant experimentalist endowed with an equal genius of being able to interpret the results. He recognized three types of radiation (alpha, beta, and gamma). He used scattering experiments with alpha radiation, which consists of helium nuclei, to prove that the atom is almost empty. The diameter of the atomic nucleus is about 10 000 times smaller than the atom itself. Furthermore, he proved that atoms are not indivisible and that in addition to protons, there must also be neutrons present in their nucleus. With Niels Bohr he developed the core-shell model of the atom. 

Radioactivity results when some part of an atom is unstable. The instability exists because the orbital electrons or the nucleus contain too much energy. Radioactive atoms are called radionuclides. They release excess energy by emitting radiation. The type of radiation released (alpha, beta, or gamma particles) may be more or less hazardous to humans, depending on the location of the radioactive materials. Exposure to radioactive materials outside the body poses external hazards. Radioactive materials may also be hazardous when ingested, inhaled, or injected and thus pose internal hazards. The sections below describe the characteristics of radiation particles as external or internal hazards and as they may be encountered after a terrorist attack. Chapter 3 provides additional details and addresses health effects associated with exposure to radiation. 

The second type of decay, called beta decay (fi decay), comes in three forms, termed beta-plus, beta-minus, and electron capture. All three involve emission or capture of an electron or a positron (a pcirticle with the tiny mass of an electron but with a positive chcirge), and all three also change the atomic number of the daughter atom. 

Alpha particle (symbol a) A positively charged particle emitted by certain radioactive materials it is made up of two neutrons and two protons bound together, thus, it is identical to a helium atom. It is the least penetrating of the three most common types of radiation (alpha, beta, gamma) emitted by a radioactive material and can be stopped, for example, by a sheet of paper. It is not dangerous to... 

Which type of radiation—alpha, beta, or gamma—results in the greatest change in mass number The greatest change in atomic number ... 

AUatropes. Some or the elements exist in two or more modifications distinct in physical properties, and usually in some chemical properties. Allotropy in solid elements is attributed to differences in the bonding of the atoms in the solid. Various types of allotropy are known. In ertuntiomorphic allotropy, the transition from one form to another is reversible and takes place at a definite temperature, above or below which only one form is stable, e.g., the alpha and beta forms of sulfur. In dynamic alloimpy. the transition from one form to another is reversible, but with no definite transition temperature. The proportions of the allotropcs depend upon the temperature. In monotropic allotropy, the transition is irreversible. One allotrope is mctastable at all temperatures, e.g.. explosive antimony. 

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