Design a decay series for a nuclide?

Take the sum of A=20, B=14, and C=20. Add the digits together, then add this result to 90 to get the atomic number of the element you are using. To get the mass number, add D=22, E=02, and F=15, then if it is over 30 subtract 30 until the result is below 30. If the value is odd and not divisible by 4, add 1. Add this result to 230 to get the mass number.

2 Answers
Jul 25, 2017

Well, to find the atomic number, we add A, B, and C (whatever those are):

20 + 14 + 20 = 54

The sum of these digits is 9 (i.e. not two-digit, and is between 1 and 9), so there is no need to repeat this. This number is added to 90 to give Z = 99, for "Es" (einsteinium).

To find the mass number, we add D, E, and F (whatever those are):

22 + 02 + 15 = 39

Since the result is over 30, we subtract 30 until the result is < 30. We obtain 9, then. Since the value is odd and not divisible by 4, we add 1 to get 10. Lastly, we add this value to 230 to get the mass number, A_m = 240 (to distinguish it from A = 20...).

(If you don't follow, I am literally following the directions on the image.)

So, we currently have

bb(""_(Z)^(A_m) X = ""_(99)^(240) "Es"),

einsteinium-240. I'm guessing that's where you wanted me to stop.

Jul 26, 2017

Here's what I get.

Explanation:

Identify the starting nuclide

"Atomic number = A + B + C" = 20 + 14 + 20 = 54 rArr 5 + 4 = 9
rArr 90 + 9 = 99

"Mass number = D + E + F" = 22 + 2 + 15 = 39 rArr 39 - 30 = 9
rArr 9 + 1 = 10 rArr 230 + 10 = 240

So, we must devise a decay series for ""_99^240"Es".

1. Map a possible decay series

a. Highlight the isotopes that represent the Belt of Stability

Here is a chart I created in Excel.

It shows in yellow the isotopes of the elements from lead to einsteinium, as listed in ptable.org.

Isotopes

b. Mark the box representing the starting nuclide

""_99^240"Es" is the blue box at the upper right (99 p, 141 n).

c. Mark each isotope in your decay series

The blue boxes represent a decay series that includes as many as possible of the isotopes in the Belt of Stability and ends with

""_82^208"Pb" (82 p, 126 n).

d. Label the type of radiation emitted at each step

The particles emitted are

α, β^"+", β^"+", β^"+", β^"+", α, α, α, β^"-", β^"-", β^"-", α, α, α, α

2. Report the number of α, β^"+", and β^"-" particles

The decay chain involves the emission of eight α particles, four β^"+" particles, and three β^"-" particles.

""_99^240"Es" → ""_82^208"Pb" + 8color(white)(l)""_2^4"He" + 4color(white)(l)_1^0"e" + 3color(white)(l)_text(-1)^0"e"

Note: I much prefer an alternate pathway involving the red blocks in the diagram.

It involves the emission of eight α particles and one β^"+" particle.

""_99^240"Es" → ""_82^208"Pb" + 8color(white)(l)""_2^4"He" + ""_1^0"e"