Question

Can someone please help me with these? I’m a little behind in work and we have Semester Exams coming up and I’m just trying to catch up. I would really appreciate it! :)

Answer 1

8. 225; beta

9. 225; gamma

Step-by-step explanation:

You want the atomic mass and the type of decay described by the different nuclear equations.

Nuclear Equations

For the equation to be balanced, the atomic mass on the left must equal the total of the atomic mass values on the right. Similarly, the atomic number on the left must equal the total of the atomic numbers on the right.

8. Beta decay

The balanced equation would be ...

`(225)/(88)Ra\longrightarrow(0)/(-1)e+(225)/(89)Ac`

During this decay, an electron and an electron neutrino are emitted, and a neutron is converted to a proton. Hence actinium 225 is created.

The atomic mass of the product is 225, and this is a form of beta decay.

9. Gamma decay

The equation is balanced by putting 225 in the box, and this is a form of gamma decay. The gamma decay is indicated by the γ (gamma) symbol in the equation.

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Additional comment

The equation shown in the problem statement for Question 8 is nonsense. No such reaction is possible. That is why we have rewritten the equation, above.