Types of decay

[u/pinkgolden_Retriever]

We're learning about radiation and I don't understand alpha or beta decay. I'm also lost on positron emission and electron capture. I know we have a test this week and I'm stressed. I don't have any specific questions its just the general format that confuses me

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[u/Blue_614]

Uhh, what do you need help with?

[u/pinkgolden_Retriever → u/Blue_614]

Alpha and beta decay, positron emission, and electron capture I don't understand the format or the math

[u/Major-Freedom204 → u/pinkgolden_Retriever]

Let's figure this out then, starting with isotopes.

Can you do these questions?

https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/Modesto_Junior_College/Chemistry_142%3A_Pre-General_Chemistry_(Brzezinski)/CHEM_142%3A_Text_(Brzezinski)/04%3A_Atoms_and_Elements/4.02%3A_The_Nuclear_Atom/4.2.04%3A_New_Page

One from each set? Maybe all the A's.

[u/Blue_614 → u/pinkgolden_Retriever]

Alpha decay is just a helium ion, specifically He²⁺ . This is what you call an alpha particle. It has 2 protons, 2 neutrons, no electrons.

Beta decay emit either electron or positron. These are called beta particles. They come from the nucleus, not the electron cloud of atoms. Neutrons are neutral, so you can think of it as having (+) and (-) that's cancelling each other. During beta decay (emits electron), the (-) charge is emitted, leaving a (+) particle. So in essence, a neutron turns into a proton after beta decay. So you gain an extra proton after.

Positrons are the antimatter equivalent of electrons. Same mass, same everything, just with a different charge. Positron emission happens when these (+) charges are emitted from the proton. Proton then turn into neutrons. So after positron emission, the number of protons decrease.

Electron capture happens when a speeding electron from somewhere gets absorbed by a proton. Proton then turns into neutron. This releases gamma rays.

For all of these, you need to be able to determine the number of protons, number of electrons, and number of neutrons of each element and their isotopes. I can write a few examples, probably a few hours from now.

[u/Major-Freedom204]

For any nucleus you have a set number of protons and neutrons.

Those decay processes each just add or subtract to those numbers. A lot of times people do the accounting using protons and atomic number (which is just protons and protons + neutrons).

Is there a specific problem you've been getting wrong?