CHE 1302 Lecture Notes - Lecture 24: Alpha Decay, Nobelium, Beta Decay
Document Summary
Write an equation for the alpha decay of rutherfordium-257. And from the atomic number we can identify the nuclide as an isotope of nobelium: A particular nucleus undergoes beta decay to form 241am. And finally use the atomic number to identify the nuclide, this time an isotope of plutonium: In a type of cancer therapy, nuclei of boron-10 are bombarded with neutrons, forming an unstable intermediate. This intermediate undergoes a further nuclear reaction that releases an energetic alpha particle that can kill cancer cells. Write an equation for the process taking place, and identify the other product of the reaction. The first step will be boron-10 combining with a neutron: This first product is an unstable form of the boron-11 isotope. Next, the 11mb nuclide decays into an alpha particle plus another product: Now balance mass number and atomic number as in example 1: And from the atomic number we can identify the product as lithium-7:
