Help! Troubleshooting Nuclear Decay Equations

[MWad]

I'm sorry for posting this another thread, but I accidentally posted under to wrong forum initially and could not figure out how to delete it :-(1. Homework Statement

Find the missing isotope: Iodine-127 (n, alpha)
My answer is Sb- 122 but it was wrong.

Also, how would I go about finding the number of alpha and (negative) beta decay reactions needed to reduce an isotope, if I am not given half life? Please help! I know I am probably making it harder than it has to be!

Homework Equations

I am having a bit of trouble applying nuclear decay reactions. I understand the differences between alpha, beta, and gamma, but cannot seem to solve the equations 100% of the time. I do not know how I would type out alpha, beta, and gamma here, though. So I will just say that given alpha, I know to subtract, and Beta can be positive or negative. Gamma has no addition or subtraction.

The Attempt at a Solution

I wonder if I am just not comprehending what (n,alpha) means. Set up in a way to identify the particles is easy for me, though. As for the question pertaining to the cascade, we never reviewed a problem like that and therefore I would really appreciate someone just offering me a starting point. [/B]

 

[SteamKing]

I'm sorry for posting this another thread, but I accidentally posted under to wrong forum initially and could not figure out how to delete it :-(1. Homework Statement

Find the missing isotope: Iodine-127 (n, alpha)
My answer is Sb- 122 but it was wrong.

Also, how would I go about finding the number of alpha and (negative) beta decay reactions needed to reduce an isotope, if I am not given half life? Please help! I know I am probably making it harder than it has to be!
2. Homework Equations I am having a bit of trouble applying nuclear decay reactions. I understand the differences between alpha, beta, and gamma, but cannot seem to solve the equations 100% of the time. I do not know how I would type out alpha, beta, and gamma here, though. So I will just say that given alpha, I know to subtract, and Beta can be positive or negative. Gamma has no addition or subtraction.3. The Attempt at a Solution

I wonder if I am just not comprehending what (n,alpha) means. Set up in a way to identify the particles is easy for me, though. As for the question pertaining to the cascade, we never reviewed a problem like that and therefore I would really appreciate someone just offering me a starting point.

The reaction: Iodine-127 (n, alpha) is just a shorthand way or writing the following:

¹²⁷I + n → X + α, or in words

an atom of I-127 when struck by a neutron turns into element X plus one alpha particle.

You have to identify element X and figure out its atomic weight.

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[James Pelezo]

This post was entered ~ 1-mo ago. Are you still in need of some suggestions? jp