Write nuclear reaction equations for

Question

(i) α-decay of ²²⁶₈₈Ra  

(ii) α-decay of ²⁴²₉₄Pu

(iii) β⁻-decay of ³²₁₅P 

(iv) β_- -decay of ²¹⁰₈₃Bi

(v) β⁺-decay of ¹¹₆C

(vi) β₊ -decay of ⁹⁷₄₃Tc
(vii) Electron capture of ¹²⁰₅₄Xe

Answer 1

α is a nucleus of helium ( ₂He ⁴⁾and β is an electron (e⁻ for β⁻ and e⁺ for β⁺). In every αdecay, there is a loss of 2 protons and 4 neutrons. In every β⁺-decay, there is a loss of 1 proton and a neutrino is emitted from the nucleus. In every β⁻-decay, there is a gain of 1 proton and an antineutrino is emitted from the nucleus. 

For the given cases, the various nuclear reactions can be written as: