Write a nuclear equation for the indicated decay of each nuclide. e. Pd-103 (electron capture)

Key Concepts

Nuclear Equations

Nuclear equations represent the transformation of one nuclide into another during radioactive decay processes. They typically show the initial nuclide, the emitted particles, and the resulting nuclide. In the case of electron capture, an electron is absorbed by the nucleus, leading to a change in the atomic number while the mass number remains unchanged.

Electron Capture

Electron capture is a type of radioactive decay where an inner orbital electron is captured by the nucleus of an atom. This process results in the conversion of a proton into a neutron, effectively decreasing the atomic number of the element. For example, when Palladium-103 undergoes electron capture, it transforms into Silver-103.

Nuclide Notation

Nuclide notation is a way to represent isotopes of elements, indicating the element's symbol, mass number, and atomic number. The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons, while the atomic number represents the number of protons. Understanding nuclide notation is essential for writing accurate nuclear equations, as it helps identify the specific isotopes involved in decay processes.