Table of contents

1. Matter and Measurements4h 31m
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table5h 23m
3. Ionic Compounds2h 18m
4. Molecular Compounds2h 18m
5. Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions3h 17m
6. Chemical Reactions & Quantities2h 27m
7. Energy, Rate and Equilibrium3h 46m
8. Gases, Liquids and Solids3h 25m
9. Solutions4h 10m
10. Acids and Bases3h 29m
11. Nuclear Chemistry56m
BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions47m
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry1h 34m
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds2h 12m
14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur1h 6m
15. Aldehydes and Ketones1h 1m
16. Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives1h 11m
17. Amines39m
18. Amino Acids and Proteins1h 51m
19. Enzymes1h 37m
20. Carbohydrates1h 41m
21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy2h 8m
22. Carbohydrate Metabolism2h 22m
23. Lipids2h 26m
24. Lipid Metabolism1h 45m
25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism1h 37m
26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis2h 54m

11. Nuclear Chemistry

Positron Emission

GOB Chemistry

11. Nuclear Chemistry

Positron Emission

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1:44 minutes

Problem 19e

Textbook Question

Complete each of the following nuclear equations and describe the type of radiation:
e. ¹⁸⁸₈₀Hg → ? + ⁰₊₁e

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Identify the type of nuclear reaction. The presence of ⁰₊₁e (a positron) indicates that this is a positron emission reaction, which occurs when a proton in the nucleus is converted into a neutron, emitting a positron.

Step 2: Write the general form of the nuclear equation for positron emission:

A_{Z} X → A_{Z - 1} Y + e^{0 +1}

, where A is the mass number, Z is the atomic number, X is the parent element, and Y is the daughter element.

Step 3: Apply the conservation of mass number (A) and atomic number (Z). The mass number (A) remains the same, so A = 188. The atomic number (Z) decreases by 1 because a proton is converted into a neutron, so Z = 80 - 1 = 79.

Step 4: Determine the daughter element (Y) based on the new atomic number (Z = 79). Using the periodic table, the element with atomic number 79 is gold (Au).

Step 5: Write the completed nuclear equation:

{Hg}^{18880} → {Au}^{18879} + e^{0 +1}

. The type of radiation is positron emission.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Nuclear Equations

Nuclear equations represent the transformation of one element into another through nuclear reactions. They show the reactants and products, including the atomic and mass numbers. Understanding how to balance these equations is crucial for identifying the type of radiation emitted during the process.

Beta Decay

Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle, which is an electron or positron, is emitted from an atomic nucleus. In the given equation, the emission of a positron (⁰₊₁e) indicates that a proton in the nucleus is converted into a neutron, resulting in a decrease in atomic number while the mass number remains unchanged.

Radioactive Isotopes

Radioactive isotopes are variants of chemical elements that have unstable nuclei and emit radiation as they decay to a more stable form. The isotope ¹⁸⁸Hg is an example, and understanding its decay process helps in predicting the products and the type of radiation involved, which is essential for completing the nuclear equation.

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