- #1
kirsten_2009
- 137
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Homework Statement
Use the periodic table to find the daughter nucleus after a gold nucleus (Au) undergoes beta decay. What would be the result if the gold nucleus had undergone alpha decay instead?
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
Beta Decay: A=196.96655 Z=80 Au
Alpha Decay: A=192 Z=77 Ir
I have a couple of questions regarding radioactive decay...is it accurate to say that all beta decays for all radioactive elements results in the loss of a neutron and the gain of a proton? So, the element's atomic number increases by 1 but the mass number stays the same? Also, then is it accurate to say that all alpha decay for all elements results in 2 neutrons being loss and 2 protons being loss? So, all alpha decay results in another element different from the starting one? but beta stays the same element? Sorry for all the questions...I'm just not sure I get it. Thanks!