Write a partial decay series for Rn-220 undergoing the sequential decays: a, a, b, b.

Key Concepts

Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decay is the process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation. This can occur in various forms, including alpha (α) decay, where a helium nucleus is emitted, and beta (β) decay, where a neutron is transformed into a proton, emitting an electron. Understanding these decay processes is essential for predicting the transformation of one element into another over time.

Decay Series

A decay series is a sequence of radioactive decays that an unstable nucleus undergoes until it reaches a stable state. Each step in the series involves the emission of radiation and results in the formation of a new element or isotope. In the case of Rn-220, the decay series will illustrate how it transforms through multiple decay events, leading to different daughter isotopes.

Alpha and Beta Decay

Alpha decay involves the emission of an alpha particle (two protons and two neutrons), resulting in a decrease of the atomic number by two and the mass number by four. Beta decay, on the other hand, involves the conversion of a neutron into a proton with the emission of a beta particle (an electron), increasing the atomic number by one while the mass number remains unchanged. These processes are fundamental in constructing the decay series for Rn-220.