Write nuclear reaction equations for

Question:

(i) $\alpha$-decay of ${ }_{88}^{226} \mathrm{Ra}$

(ii) $\alpha$-decay of ${ }_{94}^{242} \mathrm{Pu}$

(iii) $\beta^{-}$-decay of ${ }_{15}^{32} \mathrm{P}$

(iv) $\beta^{-}$-decay of ${ }_{83}^{210} \mathrm{Bi}$

(v) $\beta^{+}$-decay of ${ }_{6}^{11} \mathrm{C}$

(vi) $\beta^{+}$-decay of ${ }_{43}^{97} \mathrm{Tc}$

(vii) Electron capture of ${ }_{54}^{120} \mathrm{Xe}$

Solution:

$\alpha$ is a nucleus of helium $\left({ }_{2} \mathrm{He}^{4}\right)$ and $\beta$ is an electron $\left(e^{-}\right.$for $\beta^{-}$and $e^{+}$for $\left.\beta^{+}\right)$. In every $\alpha$-decay, there is a loss of 2 protons and 4 neutrons. In every $\beta^{+}$-decay, there is a loss of 1 proton and a neutrino is emitted from the nucleus. In every $\beta^{-}$-decay, there is a gain of 1 proton and an antineutrino is emitted from the nucleus.

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

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