T "Understanding Radioactive Decay and Its Types: Explained by an Expert

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the types of radioactive decay, specifically alpha, beta plus, beta minus, and electron capture. Participants are exploring the reasons behind the limited types of decay and questioning the completeness of existing explanations regarding stability in nuclides.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Exploratory

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning why only specific types of decay occur and whether other forms of decay could lead to stability. There is a discussion about the relationship between decay types and the stability of heavy nuclides, as well as references to external resources for further understanding.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants raising questions about the completeness of decay types and the reasoning behind them. Some have suggested that other forms of decay, such as spontaneous fission and gamma emission, could also be considered, indicating a broader exploration of the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants are operating under the constraints of homework guidelines, which may limit the depth of their exploration. There is a noted uncertainty regarding the relationship between mass nuclides and decay types, as well as the implications for academic evaluation.

doublemint
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I am not quite sure why there are only four types of decays, alpha, beta plus and minus, and electron capture.

I know that heavy nuclides undergo alpha decay because it is a fast way to loose 2 protons and 2 neutrons, also that the alpha particle is very stable.

For beta plus and minus, and electron capture, I was told that it was to maintain the belt of stability on the chart of nuclides.

The above explanations do not feel "complete" to me. For example, why does it have to be alpha decay? Can't the atom spit out something so that it will just drop to a stable state?

This website, http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/decayseries.htm, talks about dividing the mass nuclide by 4 and you would get remainders 0,1,2, and 3. I don't understand how this is related.

DM
 
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The atom would certainly spit out anything to gain stability but in units made by these components only. Just like you can measure any weight with the units 1,2,5,10. You don't need others. Isn't it?
 
A few heavy nuclei decay by spontaneous fission, so your list is not complete. You could view this as the nucleus 'spitting out' something heavier than an alpha particle. Also excited nuclei emit gamma rays.
 
vivekrai said:
The atom would certainly spit out anything to gain stability but in units made by these components only. Just like you can measure any weight with the units 1,2,5,10. You don't need others. Isn't it? [PLAIN]http://www.vvio.info/jpg1[/QUOTE]
The atom would certainly spit out anything to gain stability but in units made by these components only.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
shiliangtu said:
The atom would certainly spit out anything to gain stability but in units made by these components only.

Ok, but i wouldn't get many marks if I wrote this on my midterm. What are the reasons (asides from the ones I have stated) that it must be these components only?
 

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