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Ch.21 - Radioactivity & Nuclear Chemistry

Chapter 21, Problem 32c

Write a nuclear equation for the indicated decay of each nuclide.

c. Tl-207 (beta)

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Hello, everyone. Today, we have the following problem provide the complete nuclear equation for the beta decay reaction of molybdenum. So in beta decay, this occurs when an unstable nucleus. So it is when it un stable nucleus emmes an electron. And in the case of mo lidum, if we were to draw it's correct isotope notation, we would have the element as follows. And then we would have the mass number which is 102. And then if we go to the P table moly, it has an atomic number of 42. And of course, to draw this, we would draw our arrow to signify that we are undergoing beta decay and we would have zero negative one and we would have an electron as this is the notation of an electron. And then to make sure it is balanced out, we have to ask ourselves, what can we add to negative one to get 42? And we can make note and that it is going to be 43. And then since the mass number did not change, if we refer to the periodic table, an atomic number 43 relates to tectum. And for the better answer choices, answer choice d best reflects this process. And with that, we have solved the problem overall, I hope this helped hand until next time.