(a) Describe the nuclear processes of alpha and beta decay, and describe what pa
ID: 2037465 • Letter: #
Question
(a) Describe the nuclear processes of alpha and beta decay, and describe what parameter is increasing in the nucleus as a result of these decays. [3] (b) Where a stationary neutron combines with a proton to form a deuteron, a gamma ray of energy 2.2233 MeV is emitted. The masses of the proton and the deuteron are 1.007276467 u and 2.013553212 u, respectively. Determine the mass of the neutron, stating any laws used and defining variables. [4] (c) Uranium ore mined today contains 0.72% of fissionable 235U, with the remainder being 238U. For use in a reactor, the ore needs to be refined to increase the fraction of 235U to 3%. How many years ago would natural uranium ore have been a practical reactor fuel, with a 235U/238U ratio of 3.0%? [3] Take 235U to have a half-life of 7.0 × 108 y and 238U to have a half-life of 4.5 × 109 y
Explanation / Answer
The nuclear disintegration process that emits alpha particles is called alpha decay. An example of a nucleus that undergoes alpha decay is uranium-238. The alpha decay of UU-238 is
U92238?He24+Th90234
Another common decay process is beta particle emission, or beta decay. A beta particle is simply a high energy electron that is emitted from the nucleus
Th90234?e?10+Pa91234.
Atomic number is increased.
Mass of Neutron = Mass of Deuteron - Mass of Proton - Energy of Gamma Ray / C^2 [ C is Speed of light = 3*10^8 m/s)
2.013-1.007-(2.22/(3*10^8)^2)
1.006u
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