Why Ag 108 decays into Cd 108 most of the time?

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In summary, the table of nuclides shows that Ag 108 can undergo electron capture or beta-decay, with the former being less likely due to a lower branching ratio. The dominant decay is determined by the energy levels and quantum numbers of the nucleus. The difference between the two decays is not significant, with a factor of 30. Decay into Palladium is rarer because the conditions necessary for electron capture are difficult to achieve.
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Anonymous324
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In the table of nuclides, it shows that Ag 108 can go through either electron capture or beta- decay (though the branching ratio for electron capture decay is much lower). What determines that? Do nuclides try to maximize binding energy or binding energy per nucleon? And is decay into Palladium much rarer because of the conditions necessary for electron capture are hard to come by?
 
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Anonymous324 said:
What determines that?
Thats' an entire course on nuclear physics.

Like many odd-odd nuclei, it can beta decay in either direction. Which ones dominate depends on the details of their energy levels and quantum numbers.

Furthermore the two decays differ by about a factor of 30. This is not all that huge as such things go.
 
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1. Why does Ag 108 decay into Cd 108 most of the time?

This is because Ag 108 is a radioactive isotope with an unstable nucleus. It undergoes radioactive decay, which means that it spontaneously transforms into a more stable element. In this case, Ag 108 has a higher probability of decaying into Cd 108 compared to other elements.

2. What is the half-life of Ag 108?

The half-life of Ag 108 is approximately 418 years. This means that after 418 years, half of the initial amount of Ag 108 will have decayed into other elements, such as Cd 108.

3. How is the decay of Ag 108 into Cd 108 beneficial?

The decay of Ag 108 into Cd 108 can be beneficial in various ways. For example, Cd 108 can be used in nuclear medicine for imaging and treatment of certain diseases. It can also be used in industrial applications, such as in the production of batteries and semiconductors.

4. Can Ag 108 decay into other elements besides Cd 108?

Yes, Ag 108 can decay into other elements besides Cd 108. This is because radioactive decay is a random process, and there is a small probability that Ag 108 may decay into other elements. However, the probability of decaying into Cd 108 is higher compared to other elements.

5. How does the decay of Ag 108 into Cd 108 affect the atomic mass of the element?

The decay of Ag 108 into Cd 108 does not significantly affect the atomic mass of the element. This is because the atomic mass of an element is determined by the number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus. Since Cd 108 has the same number of protons and neutrons as Ag 108, the atomic mass remains relatively unchanged.

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