(a) Define
(i) proton number;
(ii) nucleon number;
(iii) isotopes.
(b) A nuclide (^A_ZX) emits (beta)-particle to form a daughter nuclide Y. Write a nuclear equation to illustrate the charge conservation.
(c) The radioactive nuclei (^{210}_{84}P_o) emits an (alpha) – particle to produce (^{206}_{82}P_b). Calculate the energy, in MeV, released in each disintegration.
Take the masses of (^{210}_{84}P_o) = 209.936730 u;
(^{206}_{82}P_b) = 205.929421 u;
(^{4}_{2}He) = 4.001504 u;
and that 1u = 931 MeV
Explanation
(a)(i) Proton number
— the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
(ii) Nucleon number — the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of are atom.
(iii) Isotopes — are atoms or nuclides of the samc element having the same number of protons or atomic number but different neutrons or mass numbers
(b) (^A_Z to ^A_{Z+}Y + ^0_{-1})
(^{210}_{84}Po to ^{206}_{82}Pb + ^4_2He + Energy)
Mass detect = 209.936730u – (205.929421 + 4.001504)u
209.9367330u – 209.930925u
= 5.805 x 10(^{-3})U
Energy released = 5.805 x 10(^{-3}) x 931
= 5.40MeV