What Are the Final Electronic and Ionic States of 72Ga After Decay to 72Ge?

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In summary: It's possible to predict the absorption/excitation spectrum of an atom for its own decay radiation, but it's more difficult to do so for gamma, beta (easier?) or alpha or fission.
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Malamala
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Hello! I see that ##^{72}##Ga decays exclusively to ##^{72}##Ge by electron emission. I couldn't find however any paper describing the final electronic state of the ##^{72}##Ge atom. I assume that the electron emitted just escapes, and the resulting ##^{72}##Ge atom is actually an ion? Also the decay to ##^{72}##Ge can happen to many levels, followed by the emission of gamma rays. Are these rays further ionizing the ##^{72}##Ge ion thus the final state of ##^{72}##Ge can have multiple ionic states? Thank you!
 
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  • #2
Malamala said:
and the resulting ##^{72}##Ge atom is actually an ion?
That's the most likely outcome, yes.
Are these rays further ionizing the ##^{72}##Ge ion thus the final state of ##^{72}##Ge can have multiple ionic states?
That is possible, although it's probably less likely.
 
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The FINAL state is surely the ground state. But the IMMEDIATE state can be lots of things - you've just injected many, many times the ionization energy into the system. It's easy to knock out an electron, and impossible to predict which one.

Sooner or later it will neutralize and de-excite.
 
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mfb said:
That's the most likely outcome, yes.
By a large but predictable margin:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...usg=AOvVaw2VgWw79cEHL4eNv321aFXx&opi=89978449
The prediction from back in 1961 is that for neutron (decay energy 782 keV), the probability of decaying into a bound protium atom is 4,2*10-6, of which 80% is into ground state of hydrogen and 20% into all excited states. For tritium atom (decay energy 18 keV), the probability of decaying into a bound He-3 atom is 6,9*10-3 (0,69%), of which 78% is into ground state and 22% into excited states.
mfb said:
That is possible, although it's probably less likely.
Vanadium 50 said:
It's easy to knock out an electron, and impossible to predict which one.
For any specific decay event.
Is it possible to predict the absorption/excitation spectrum of an atom for its own decay radiation, whether gamma, beta (easier?) or alpha or fission?
 

1. What is the final electronic state of 72Ga after decay to 72Ge?

The final electronic state of 72Ga after decay to 72Ge is a neutral state, meaning it has an equal number of protons and electrons. This is because during the decay process, a beta particle (an electron) is emitted, resulting in the formation of 72Ge with the same number of protons and electrons as 72Ga.

2. What is the final ionic state of 72Ga after decay to 72Ge?

The final ionic state of 72Ga after decay to 72Ge is also neutral. This is because the decay process does not involve the transfer of electrons between atoms, which is necessary for the formation of ions. Therefore, both 72Ga and 72Ge will have the same number of electrons and remain neutral.

3. How does the final electronic state of 72Ga compare to its original state?

The final electronic state of 72Ga is different from its original state, as it has undergone radioactive decay. 72Ga is a radioactive isotope, meaning it has an unstable nucleus that decays into a more stable form. During this process, a beta particle is emitted, resulting in a change in the number of protons and electrons in the atom.

4. What happens to the atomic number of 72Ga after decay to 72Ge?

The atomic number of 72Ga decreases by one after decay to 72Ge. This is because during the decay process, a beta particle (an electron) is emitted, causing the number of protons in the nucleus to decrease by one. Since the atomic number is determined by the number of protons, it also decreases by one.

5. Does the final electronic and ionic state of 72Ga have any impact on its chemical properties?

The final electronic and ionic state of 72Ga does not have a significant impact on its chemical properties. Both 72Ga and 72Ge are in the same group on the periodic table, meaning they have similar chemical properties. The only difference is that 72Ga is a radioactive isotope, while 72Ge is stable. However, this does not affect their chemical behavior.

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