What are the types of natural transmutation?

Question

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Answer 1

The first type of natural transmutation is known as alpha decay. In this process an unstable parent atom emits from its nucleus two protons and two neutrons bound together. The mass is known as an alpha particle () with atomic mass 4 and atomic charge 2. Students taking chemistry will recognize this as the nucleus of a helium atom and it is symbolized the same way. When a nucleus undergoes alpha decay we can predict the products using the mass of the original atom minus the mass of an alpha particle to give the mass left behind. Then the atomic number is determined by subtracting the atomic number of the alpha particle (2) from the parent atom to give the atomic number of the daughter.

A second type of decay is called beta () decay.In this process a neutron breaks down within the nucleus and emits a high speed electron. Remaining behind is a proton along with the other nucleons (parts of the nucleus) from the parent atom. As a result the daughter has an atomic number greater than the parent by one, the mass remains unchanged.

Electron capture is the reverse of beta decay in the sense that a proton in the nucleus of an atom will capture a high energy electron under the right conditions. It is another type of natural transmutation.

Gamma () emission occurs when a nucleus which is unstable emits a high energy (high frequency) light wave. This allows the vibrations in the nucleus to arrive at a stable state. As light rays have neither mass nor charge the symbol of the daughter atom is identical to the parent.

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