Complete the Nuclear Decay Table:
| Decay Type | Mass of particle | Charge of particle | Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha | 4 | +2 | [tex]$\frac{4}{2} He$[/tex] |
| Beta | 0 | -1 | [tex]$-i e$[/tex] |
| [?] | 0 | | [tex]$i o \gamma$[/tex] |
| Positron Emission | | +1 | |
What goes in the missing cells? Choose from the following:
Alpha
Positron
Gamma
Answer (2)
Gamma particles are neutral, so their charge is 0.
Positrons have a mass of approximately 0 and a charge of +1.
The symbol for a positron is + 1 0 e .
The completed table includes the missing information for Gamma decay and Positron Emission, with all entries correctly filled. C o m pl e t e d T ab l e
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given a nuclear decay table with some missing information and we need to complete it. The table includes the decay type, mass of the particle, charge of the particle, and the symbol of the particle. We need to fill in the missing entries for Gamma decay and Positron Emission.
Finding the Charge of Gamma Particle First, let's consider Gamma decay. We are given that the mass of the particle is 0 and the symbol is γ . We need to find the charge of the gamma particle. Gamma particles are photons, which are neutral, so the charge is 0.
Finding the Mass and Symbol of Positron Next, let's consider Positron Emission. We are given that the charge of the particle is +1. We need to find the mass of the positron and its symbol. A positron is an anti-electron, so its mass is approximately 0. The symbol for a positron is + 1 0 e or e + .
Completing the Table Now we can complete the table.
Final Answer The completed nuclear decay table is:
Decay Type
Mass of particle
Charge of particle
Symbol
Alpha
4
+2
2 4 He
Beta
0
-1
− 1 0 e
Gamma
0
0
γ
Positron Emission
0
+1
+ 1 0 e
The missing entries are now filled in.
Examples
Nuclear decay is used in various applications such as carbon dating, medical imaging (PET scans), and cancer treatment (radiation therapy). Understanding the properties of the emitted particles, like their mass and charge, is crucial for designing and interpreting these applications. For example, in PET scans, positrons emitted by radioactive isotopes annihilate with electrons, producing gamma rays that are detected to create images of the body's internal organs.
The completed Nuclear Decay Table includes Gamma decay with a mass of 0, charge 0, and symbol γ ; and Positron Emission with mass 0, charge +1, and symbol + 1 0 e .
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