Nuclear Decay

What is the nucleus?

The nucleus is in the center of the atom. It is made of protons and neutrons, and it gives the atom mass. 

Basic Types Of Decay

α(Alpha) Decay: Decay when an atom loses two protons and two neutrons. This is equivalent to a nucleus of a helium atom.

Example: Radium-226 (88 protons and 138 neutrons) decays into Radon-222 (86 protons and 136) via emission of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. 

β(Beta)+ Decay: Occurs when a proton turns into a neutron, releasing a positron and an electron neutrino. This is what happens in stars. 

β- Decay: Occurs when a neutron turns into a proton, releasing an electron and an electron antineutrino.

Example: Carbon-14 (6 protons and 8 neutrons) decays into Nitrogen-14 (7 protons and 7 neutrons) via β- decay (neutron turns into proton, releasing electron and an electron antineutrino)

γ (Gamma) decay: Occurs when an excited nucleus emits a gamma ray (a type of photon with the highest possible energy).

Example: Cobalt-60 (27 protons and 23 neutrons) undergoes β- decay to become Nickel-60 (28 protons and 22 neutrons). This Nickel-60 is in its excited form. The Nickel-60 in its excited state undergoes γ decay and becomes Nickel-60 in its ground form (unexcited). 

Electron Capture: Occurs when a proton captures an electron from the inner shells, creating a neutron and electron neutrino. An electron from the outer shell replaces the electron lost, releasing a gamma ray.

Example: Rubidium-83 (which has 37 protons and 46 neutrons) undergoes electron capture to become Krypton-83 (36 protons, 47 neutrons). This releases an electron neutrino and a gamma ray.

Question: Magnesium-23 (12 protons and 11 neutrons) undergoes (Beta+) decay into Sodium-23. How many protons and neutrons does Sodium-23 have, and list the reactants and products.

Answer: