Physics

[WhoTookMyUsername]

HELP! Textbook is being annoying again. just starting unit 1 and  the question is:

Beryillium 9 is irradiated with neutrons. An alpha particle is released and it become a stable isotope. Identify the Nuclide.


So

Berrylium with 4 protons and 5 nuetrons + 1 neutron = alpha particle + ? - i think it's helium six but the book says lithium 6
Thanks!

[m@tty]

An Alpha particle is 2 neutrons and 2 protons. So yeah, you're right it should be Helium 6.

[echenzi]

He-6 is not stable, and will decompose to Li-6 (beta decay)..

I think thats the reasoning in your book.

But its horribly worded if it is the case.

[pi]

He-6 is not stable, and will decompose to Li-6 (beta decay)..

I think thats the reasoning in your book.

But its horribly worded if it is the case.

+1, alpha decay and then beta-minus decay: Berrylium-9 + neutron --> Helium-6 (via beta-minus decay) --> Lithium-6

That must be it thanks alot  
2 more questions  :tickedoff:
Are there any rules or trends that indicate when a substance is unstable/radioactive?
Are there any rules or trends that indicate the relative length of the half life of a substance?

I don't there are any such rules/trends (or rules you need to know) about radionuclides... Probably the obvious one is atoms with large nuclei are generally more unstable than those with smaller nuclei (as a trend). But there are plenty of exceptions to that.

[schnappy]

The ratio of protons to neutrons is a good indicator.

Also if you're dying.