[NC.1-4]
[NC.1-4]
Notes – Nuclear Decay Chains
Notes – Nuclear Decay Chains
Nuclear decay is often (usually) a multiple-step process
involving various types of decay before finally resulting
in a stable isotope. This occurrence is called a nuclear
decay chain.
Nuclear decay is often (usually) a multiple-step process
involving various types of decay before finally resulting
in a stable isotope. This occurrence is called a nuclear
decay chain.
Decay chains can be described with words, with
equations, or with diagrams. Given one of these, you
should be able to construct the other two.
Decay chains can be described with words, with
equations, or with diagrams. Given one of these, you
should be able to construct the other two.
Here’s an example:
Here’s an example:
Words
Words
Uranium-238 undergoes alpha decay to produce its
daughter nucleus, thorium-234. Thorium-234
undergoes beta decay to form the excited daughter
Protactinium-234. Finally, protactinium-234 de-excites
by gamma decay.
Uranium-238 undergoes alpha decay to produce its
daughter nucleus, thorium-234. Thorium-234
undergoes beta decay to form the excited daughter
Protactinium-234. Finally, protactinium-234 de-excites
by gamma decay.
Equation
Equation
238
92
U
Th  He 
234
90
4
2
Pa  e  ν 
234
91
*
0
1
0
0
Pa  γ
234
91
Diagram
 Make one AHA connection on notebook p.nnn-nnn
238
92
U
Th  42 He 
234
90
Pa *  01e  00 ν 
234
91
Pa  γ
234
91
Diagram
 Make one AHA connection on notebook p.nnn-nnn