Question

The type of nuclear decay an unstable nucleus will undergo depends on its ratio of neutrons to protons. The radioisotope cobalt-65 has a ratio of neutrons to protons of 1.41, which is too high for a nucleus of this size. What nuclear changes could reduce this ratio

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

In cobalt - 65 ,

no of protons is 27 ( p )

no of neutron = 65 - 27 ( n )

= 38

n / p ratio

= 38 / 27

= 1.41

If case of emission of alpha particle

no of proton p = 27 - 2 = 25

no of neutrons = 38 - 2 = 36

n / p ratio = 36 / 25

= 1.44

So it increases

In case of emission of beta particle

No of neutron n = 38 - 1 = 37

No of proton = 27 + 1 = 28

n / p ratio = 37 / 28

= 1.32

Hence ratio decreases.

Hence beta ray decay will result in decrease in n / p ratio.