Question

4. When a radioactive element decays, it is because the balance of neutrons and protons inside the nucleus was unstable. Explain what happens in each of these kinds of decay to make the nucleus more stable (these are the three most common decay types): a. Fission b. Beta-decay (B) C. Alpha-decay (a) Which of these is more often associated with the production of energy (and weapons)? Why do you think that is?

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Answer 1

The meetron - proton ratio (~/Z) of an atomic neucleus determines the stability of a neuches. For bearly neucleus the ratio increases gradually increment in with smaller atoms N. For numbers Thus neuchons (cap to 2=20) N/2 nl. they are stable now fore heanine nuclie neutrons nuntur numbers of due to of moell the more meded for packing due to 208 Now Phu = 1.537. of protons among nuctions strong nuclear force N/2 ratio has the highest possible For wavive nucle, if this splitting authors radioactive nucleus agais. Below are the processes by which these 1.537, then the make to bound sufficient energy (28 Me V) bombeards the an ratio enceuds decay of the nuclei oecues stabele neuste get stability :- Fission : A muction is to neucleus by so when another & Mev merely energy particle with unstalede nucleus (N/=> 1.5) nucleus splits into two daughter with smallie fission is ta 99 U-235 % ley Ba and kan two lighter daughter nuclii produced which hasee respectively. Thers nuclers statulizes itself .by fission. 89 235 nuele numbers of neuchons. An example of + k + 30+ Energy bombarded neutron 144 Ba 56 36 0235 When N/2 = 1.48 and 1.472

production of energy (and a In this process into a of and thuis the the le) ß - decay : neutron decays proton and an electron (B) reduces no number neutrons (N) to stabilize nucleus. some isotopes of lightere neveleus harte cunstabele nevelues, there this method. An example is underlying process (unstable) (stable) e) &- decay :- When decay is 14c ,م - 14N 2 7 n 0 - 4 an 16' + a heavy unstable nucleus emets particle, als mass meinber reduces neutron and proton nemler lightia daughter nucleus has stalele neccleus. Nuclie more than 82 numbers of prolons are likely to undergo this decay process. Am 2 by 4 and both reduces by a. Thus & produced which which have 208 -24 Ple 212 Po 84 82" # Now the example as entera neutrous produced in fission enample ① ago and bombard other unstable beaniem neuchie to produce fucethure lighter statele nucle and herge energy. producing huge energy and this weapons, so fission is more associated with egy. Thus a chain reaction takes place weapons)