Question

Which would result in radioactive decay? Check all that apply.

A)a neutron-to-proton ratio of 1:1 in a small nucleus


B)a neutron-to-proton ratio of 1:2 in a large nucleus


C)a nucleus that contains 90 protons and 100 neutrons


D)a nucleus that contains 8 protons and 8 neutrons


E)any isotope of the element uranium, which has atomic number 92


F)any isotope of the element potassium, which has atomic number 19

Answer 1

Nuclei with low neutron-to-proton ratios can decay by converting a proton to a neutron through positron emission or electron capture.

Step-by-step explanation:

Aa. This nuclide has a neutron-to-proton ratio of only 1.05, which is much less than the requirement for stability for an element with an atomic number in this range. Nuclei that have low neutron-to-proton ratios decay by converting a proton to a neutron. The two possibilities are positron emission, which converts a proton to a neutron and a positron, and electron capture, which converts a proton and a core electron to a neutron. In this case, both are observed, with positron emission occurring about 86% of the time and electron capture about 14% of the time.

Answer 2

B, C, E

Step-by-step explanation: