Question

7. If silicon-32 has a decay chain with the following steps:

Step #1 - Alpha Particle
Step #2 - Beta Particle
What is the final radioactive isotope left at the end of this decay chain?

Answer 1

Aluminium-28

Step-by-step explanation:

We are given;

Silicon-32

it undergoes a decay chain starting with alpha decay then followed by beta decay.

• We need to know that when a radioactive isotope undergoes alpha decay its mass number decreases by 4 while the atomic number decreases by 2.
• When its a beta decay the mass number remains unchanged while atomic number increases by 1.

• In this case;

Silicon-32 has an atomic number 14 and mass number 32.

#1. Alpha decay

• Si-32 undergoes alpha decay to form a radioisotope with a mass number 28 and atomic number 12.

That is; ³²₁₄Si → ²⁸₁₂X + ⁴₂He

#2. Beta decay

• The radioisotope formed then undergoes beta decay to form a radioisotope with a mass number 28 and atomic number 13.

That is;

²⁸₁₂X → ²⁸₁₃Y + ⁴₂He

• Therefore, the radioisotope formed after the two decay at the end of decay chain is Al-28.