NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Decay chain

Nearly all the decay products of radioactive decay are themselves radioactive. Because of this, most radioactive substances do not decay directly to a stable state, but rather undergo a series of decays until eventually a stable isotope is reached. Such series are known as decay chains. In nuclear physics, a decay product, also known as a daughter product, is a nuclide resulting from the radioactive decay of a parent or precursor nuclide. ... Radioactive decay is the set of various processes by which unstable atomic nuclei (nuclides) emit subatomic particles. ... Isotopes are forms of a chemical element whose nuclei have the same atomic number, Z, but different atomic masses, A. The word isotope, meaning at the same place, comes from the fact that all isotopes of an element are located at the same place on the periodic table. ...

The intermediate stages are often far more dangerous than the original radioisotope. For example, pure natural uranium metal is not dangerously radioactive, but many lumps of pitchblende, a uranium ore, are dangerously radioactive because of the radium they contain. Radium itself is extremely dangerous for its radioactivity alone, but its chief danger is the radon it generates as the next stage in the decay chain. A radionuclide is an atom with an unstable nucleus. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Uranium, U, 92 Chemical series Actinides Period, Block 7, f Density, Hardness 19050 kg/m3, 6 Appearance silvery-white metal Atomic properties Atomic weight 238. ... Uraninite is a uranium-rich mineral with a composition that is largely UO2 (uranium oxide), but which also contains UO3 and oxides of lead, thorium, and rare earths. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Uranium, U, 92 Chemical series Actinides Period, Block 7, f Density, Hardness 19050 kg/m3, 6 Appearance silvery-white metal Atomic properties Atomic weight 238. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Radium, Ra, 88 Series Alkali earth metals Group, Period, Block 2(IIA), 7, s Density, Hardness 5000 kg/m3, no data Appearance Silvery white metallic Atomic Properties Atomic weight (226. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Radon, Rn, 86 Chemical series Noble gases Group, Period, Block 18 (VIIIA), 6, p Density, Hardness 9. ...

In practice there are only three common modes of radioactive decay: alpha decay, beta minus decay, and beta plus decay. Of these, only alpha decay changes the atomic mass number of the nucleus, and always decreases it by four. Because of this, any decay will always result in a nucleus whose atomic mass number has the same residue mod 4, dividing all nuclides into four classes. The members of any possible decay chain must be drawn entirely from one of these classes. Alpha decay is a form of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus ejects an alpha particle and transforms into a nucleus with mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less. ... In nuclear physics, beta decay (sometimes called neutron decay) is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted. ... Positron emission is a type of beta decay, sometimes referred to as beta plus (β+). In beta plus decay, a proton is converted to a neutron via the weak nuclear force and a beta plus particle (a positron) and a neutrino are emitted. ... ... Modular arithmetic is a system of arithmetic for integers, where numbers wrap around after they reach a certain value â€” the modulus. ...

Three main decay chains are observed in nature, commonly called the uranium series, the thorium series, and the actinium series, representing three of these four classes, and ending in three different, stable isotopes of lead. General Name, Symbol, Number thorium, Th, 90 Chemical series Transition metals Period, Block 7, f Density, Hardness 11724 kg/m3, 3. ... General Name, Symbol, Number actinium, Ac, 89 Chemical series Actinides Group, Period, Block 3 , 7, f Density, Hardness 10070 kg/m3, n/a Appearance silvery Atomic properties Atomic weight (227) u Atomic radius (calc. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Lead, Pb, 82 Chemical series Poor metals Group, Period, Block 14(IVA), 6 , p Density, Hardness 11340 kg/m3, 1. ...

There are also many shorter chains, for example sulfur-38. General Name, Symbol, Number sulfur, S, 16 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 16 (VIA), 3, p Density, Hardness 1960 kg/m3, 2 Appearance Lemon yellow at STP Atomic properties Atomic weight 32. ...

4n+2 chain

Categories: Radioactivity class="preview" id="pv19"> General Name, Symbol, Number Uranium, U, 92 Chemical series Actinides Period, Block 7, f Density, Hardness 19050 kg/m3, 6 Appearance silvery-white metal Atomic properties Atomic weight 238. ... Alpha decay is a form of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus ejects an alpha particle and transforms into a nucleus with mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less. ... General Name, Symbol, Number thorium, Th, 90 Chemical series Transition metals Period, Block 7, f Density, Hardness 11724 kg/m3, 3. ... General Name, Symbol, Number thorium, Th, 90 Chemical series Transition metals Period, Block 7, f Density, Hardness 11724 kg/m3, 3. ... In nuclear physics, beta decay (sometimes called neutron decay) is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted. ... General Name, Symbol, Number protactinium, Pa, 91 Chemical series Transition metals Group, Period, Block _ , 7, f Density, Hardness 15370 kg/m3, no data Appearance bright, silvery metallic luster Atomic properties Atomic weight 231. ... General Name, Symbol, Number protactinium, Pa, 91 Chemical series Transition metals Group, Period, Block _ , 7, f Density, Hardness 15370 kg/m3, no data Appearance bright, silvery metallic luster Atomic properties Atomic weight 231. ... In nuclear physics, beta decay (sometimes called neutron decay) is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Uranium, U, 92 Chemical series Actinides Period, Block 7, f Density, Hardness 19050 kg/m3, 6 Appearance silvery-white metal Atomic properties Atomic weight 238. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Uranium, U, 92 Chemical series Actinides Period, Block 7, f Density, Hardness 19050 kg/m3, 6 Appearance silvery-white metal Atomic properties Atomic weight 238. ... Alpha decay is a form of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus ejects an alpha particle and transforms into a nucleus with mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less. ... General Name, Symbol, Number thorium, Th, 90 Chemical series Transition metals Period, Block 7, f Density, Hardness 11724 kg/m3, 3. ... General Name, Symbol, Number thorium, Th, 90 Chemical series Transition metals Period, Block 7, f Density, Hardness 11724 kg/m3, 3. ... Alpha decay is a form of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus ejects an alpha particle and transforms into a nucleus with mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Radium, Ra, 88 Series Alkali earth metals Group, Period, Block 2(IIA), 7, s Density, Hardness 5000 kg/m3, no data Appearance Silvery white metallic Atomic Properties Atomic weight (226. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Radium, Ra, 88 Series Alkali earth metals Group, Period, Block 2(IIA), 7, s Density, Hardness 5000 kg/m3, no data Appearance Silvery white metallic Atomic Properties Atomic weight (226. ... Alpha decay is a form of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus ejects an alpha particle and transforms into a nucleus with mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Radon, Rn, 86 Chemical series Noble gases Group, Period, Block 18 (VIIIA), 6, p Density, Hardness 9. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Radon, Rn, 86 Chemical series Noble gases Group, Period, Block 18 (VIIIA), 6, p Density, Hardness 9. ... Alpha decay is a form of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus ejects an alpha particle and transforms into a nucleus with mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Polonium, Po, 84 Series Metalloids Group, Period, Block 6 (VIA), 6, p Density, Hardness 9196 kg/m3, no data Appearance silvery Atomic properties Atomic weight [209] u Atomic radius (calc. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Polonium, Po, 84 Series Metalloids Group, Period, Block 6 (VIA), 6, p Density, Hardness 9196 kg/m3, no data Appearance silvery Atomic properties Atomic weight [209] u Atomic radius (calc. ... Alpha decay is a form of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus ejects an alpha particle and transforms into a nucleus with mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less. ... In nuclear physics, beta decay (sometimes called neutron decay) is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Lead, Pb, 82 Chemical series Poor metals Group, Period, Block 14(IVA), 6 , p Density, Hardness 11340 kg/m3, 1. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Astatine, At, 85 Series Halogens Group, Period, Block 17 (VIIA), 6, p Density, Hardness no data, no data Appearance metallic Atomic properties Atomic weight [210] amu Atomic radius no data Covalent radius 127 pm van der Waals radius no data Electron configuration [Xe]4f14 5d10 6s2... General Name, Symbol, Number Astatine, At, 85 Series Halogens Group, Period, Block 17 (VIIA), 6, p Density, Hardness no data, no data Appearance metallic Atomic properties Atomic weight [210] amu Atomic radius no data Covalent radius 127 pm van der Waals radius no data Electron configuration [Xe]4f14 5d10 6s2... Alpha decay is a form of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus ejects an alpha particle and transforms into a nucleus with mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less. ... In nuclear physics, beta decay (sometimes called neutron decay) is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Bismuth, Bi, 83 Chemical series Poor metals Group, Period, Block 15 (VA), 6, p Density, Hardness 9. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Radon, Rn, 86 Chemical series Noble gases Group, Period, Block 18 (VIIIA), 6, p Density, Hardness 9. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Radon, Rn, 86 Chemical series Noble gases Group, Period, Block 18 (VIIIA), 6, p Density, Hardness 9. ... Alpha decay is a form of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus ejects an alpha particle and transforms into a nucleus with mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Polonium, Po, 84 Series Metalloids Group, Period, Block 6 (VIA), 6, p Density, Hardness 9196 kg/m3, no data Appearance silvery Atomic properties Atomic weight [209] u Atomic radius (calc. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Lead, Pb, 82 Chemical series Poor metals Group, Period, Block 14(IVA), 6 , p Density, Hardness 11340 kg/m3, 1. ... In nuclear physics, beta decay (sometimes called neutron decay) is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Bismuth, Bi, 83 Chemical series Poor metals Group, Period, Block 15 (VA), 6, p Density, Hardness 9. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Bismuth, Bi, 83 Chemical series Poor metals Group, Period, Block 15 (VA), 6, p Density, Hardness 9. ... In nuclear physics, beta decay (sometimes called neutron decay) is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted. ... Alpha decay is a form of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus ejects an alpha particle and transforms into a nucleus with mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Polonium, Po, 84 Series Metalloids Group, Period, Block 6 (VIA), 6, p Density, Hardness 9196 kg/m3, no data Appearance silvery Atomic properties Atomic weight [209] u Atomic radius (calc. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Thallium, Tl, 81 Chemical series Poor metals Group, Period, Block 13 (IIIA), 6, p Density, Hardness 11. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Polonium, Po, 84 Series Metalloids Group, Period, Block 6 (VIA), 6, p Density, Hardness 9196 kg/m3, no data Appearance silvery Atomic properties Atomic weight [209] u Atomic radius (calc. ... Alpha decay is a form of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus ejects an alpha particle and transforms into a nucleus with mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Lead, Pb, 82 Chemical series Poor metals Group, Period, Block 14(IVA), 6 , p Density, Hardness 11340 kg/m3, 1. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Thallium, Tl, 81 Chemical series Poor metals Group, Period, Block 13 (IIIA), 6, p Density, Hardness 11. ... In nuclear physics, beta decay (sometimes called neutron decay) is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Lead, Pb, 82 Chemical series Poor metals Group, Period, Block 14(IVA), 6 , p Density, Hardness 11340 kg/m3, 1. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Lead, Pb, 82 Chemical series Poor metals Group, Period, Block 14(IVA), 6 , p Density, Hardness 11340 kg/m3, 1. ... In nuclear physics, beta decay (sometimes called neutron decay) is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Bismuth, Bi, 83 Chemical series Poor metals Group, Period, Block 15 (VA), 6, p Density, Hardness 9. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Bismuth, Bi, 83 Chemical series Poor metals Group, Period, Block 15 (VA), 6, p Density, Hardness 9. ... In nuclear physics, beta decay (sometimes called neutron decay) is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted. ... Alpha decay is a form of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus ejects an alpha particle and transforms into a nucleus with mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Polonium, Po, 84 Series Metalloids Group, Period, Block 6 (VIA), 6, p Density, Hardness 9196 kg/m3, no data Appearance silvery Atomic properties Atomic weight [209] u Atomic radius (calc. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Thallium, Tl, 81 Chemical series Poor metals Group, Period, Block 13 (IIIA), 6, p Density, Hardness 11. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Polonium, Po, 84 Series Metalloids Group, Period, Block 6 (VIA), 6, p Density, Hardness 9196 kg/m3, no data Appearance silvery Atomic properties Atomic weight [209] u Atomic radius (calc. ... Alpha decay is a form of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus ejects an alpha particle and transforms into a nucleus with mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Lead, Pb, 82 Chemical series Poor metals Group, Period, Block 14(IVA), 6 , p Density, Hardness 11340 kg/m3, 1. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Thallium, Tl, 81 Chemical series Poor metals Group, Period, Block 13 (IIIA), 6, p Density, Hardness 11. ... In nuclear physics, beta decay (sometimes called neutron decay) is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Lead, Pb, 82 Chemical series Poor metals Group, Period, Block 14(IVA), 6 , p Density, Hardness 11340 kg/m3, 1. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Lead, Pb, 82 Chemical series Poor metals Group, Period, Block 14(IVA), 6 , p Density, Hardness 11340 kg/m3, 1. ...