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For each of the following, write a balanced nuclear equation and identify the radiation emitted.

(a) Beryllium-10 changes to boron-10
(b) Europium-151^m changes to europium-151
(c) Thallium-195 changes to mercury-195
(d) Plutonium-239 changes to uranium-235

User Noah Clark
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Final answer:

Balanced nuclear equations for the provided transformations were generated, with the detection of beta-minus decay for beryllium-10 and thallium-195, isomeric transition for europium-151m, and alpha decay for plutonium-239, along with the associated emitted radiation types.

Step-by-step explanation:

To write a balanced nuclear equation for each of the nuclear reactions mentioned and to identify the radiation emitted, we refer to the general reactions for each type of decay or transformation. Here are the equations and identifications of radiation emitted for each case:

  • (a) Beryllium-10 (¹⁰Be) to Boron-10 (¹⁰B):

    ¹⁰⁵Be → ¹⁰⁵B + 0⁻¹e (Beta-minus decay, emitting a beta particle or electron).

  • (b) Europium-151m (¹⅒₁Eu¹m) to Europium-151 (¹⅒₁Eu):

    ¹⅒₁Eu¹m → ¹⅒₁Eu + γ (Isomeric transition, emitting gamma radiation).

  • (c) Thallium-195 (¹⁹⁵Tl) to Mercury-195 (¹⁹⁵Hg):

    ¹⁹⁵₈ⁱTl → ¹⁹⁵₈₀Hg + 0⁻¹e (Beta-minus decay, emitting a beta particle or electron).

  • (d) Plutonium-239 (¹²³⁹Pu) to Uranium-235 (¹²³⁵U):

    ¹²³⁹ₒ₀Pu → ¹²³⁵ₑ₈U + ⁴⁰⁲₀He (Alpha decay, emitting an alpha particle).

User Dominic Gifford
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