Complete the nuclear equation?

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My guess is:
1. 98/44 Ru
2. 52/24 Cr

Thanks

1 Answer
May 29, 2018

Both of your guesses are correct.

Explanation:

1. Decay of #bb(""_45^98"Rh")#

#""_45^98"Rh" -> ""_1^0"e" + ?#

Positron (#""_1^0"e"#) is formed in the reaction. Therefore it’s a #β# positive decay.

In a #β# positive decay proton turns into neutron. Therefore the resultant atom should have

#"Protons = 45 – 1 = 44"#
#"Neutrons = (98 – 45) + 1 = 54"#

An atom with #44# protons is #"Ru"#

So, #β^+# decay reaction of #""_45^98"Rh"# is

#""_45^98"Rh" -> ""_44^98"Ru" + ""_1^0"e" + ν#

——————

2. Decay of #bb(""_23^52"V")#

#""_23^52"V" -> ""_"-1"^0"e" + ?#

#β# particle (# ""_"-1"^0"e"#) is formed in the reaction. Therefore it’s a #β# negative decay.

In a #β# negative decay neutron turns into proton. Therefore the resultant atom should have

#"Protons = 23 + 1 = 24"#
#"Neutrons = (52 – 23) – 1 = 28"#

An atom with #24# protons is #"Cr"#

So, #β^-# decay of #""_23^52"V"# is

#""_23^52"V" -> ""_24^52"Cr" + ""_"-1"^0"e" + bar ν#

Note: In a #β#-decay (both positive and negative) mass number remains same.