High School

Write the nuclear equation for the decay of lead-210 to bismuth-210 by beta emission.

A lead-210 nucleus emits a beta particle and gives a bismuth-210 nucleus.

Answer :

The nuclear equation for the decay of lead-210 to bismuth-210 by beta emission involves the conversion of a neutron into a proton and an electron, resulting in the emission of a beta particle.

The nuclear equation for the decay of lead-210 to bismuth-210 by beta emission can be written as:

[tex]\begin{equation}^{210}{82}\textrm{Pb} \rightarrow ^{210}{83}\textrm{Bi} + ^{0}_{-1}\textrm{e}^{-}\end{equation}[/tex]

In this equation, the atomic number of lead (Pb) is 82, which means it has 82 protons in its nucleus. The atomic mass of lead-210 is 210, which means it has 128 neutrons (since 210 - 82 = 128).

During beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus of the lead-210 atom is converted into a proton and an electron. The proton stays in the nucleus and increases the atomic number by 1, creating bismuth (Bi). The electron, which has a negative charge, is emitted from the nucleus as a beta particle.

The resulting nucleus is bismuth-210, which has an atomic number of 83 and an atomic mass of 210 (since 210 - 83 = 127 neutrons). Bismuth-210 is also radioactive and undergoes further radioactive decay until it reaches a stable nucleus.

Beta decay is one of the three main types of radioactive decay, along with alpha decay and gamma decay. It occurs when a neutron in the nucleus of an atom is converted into a proton and an electron, which is emitted from the nucleus as a beta particle. Beta decay plays an important role in nuclear physics and has many practical applications, including in medical imaging and cancer treatment.

To learn more about nuclear equations

https://brainly.com/question/19752321

#SPJ4