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28 March, 08:11

7. If silicon-32 has a decay chain with the following steps:

Step #1 - Alpha Particle

Step #2 - Beta Particle

What is the final radioactive isotope left at the end of this decay chain?

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Answers (1)
  1. 28 March, 08:31
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    Aluminium-28

    Explanation:

    We are given;

    Silicon-32

    it undergoes a decay chain starting with alpha decay then followed by beta decay.

    We need to know that when a radioactive isotope undergoes alpha decay its mass number decreases by 4 while the atomic number decreases by 2. When its a beta decay the mass number remains unchanged while atomic number increases by 1. In this case;

    Silicon-32 has an atomic number 14 and mass number 32.

    #1. Alpha decay

    Si-32 undergoes alpha decay to form a radioisotope with a mass number 28 and atomic number 12.

    That is; ³²₁₄Si → ²⁸₁₂X + ⁴₂He

    #2. Beta decay

    The radioisotope formed then undergoes beta decay to form a radioisotope with a mass number 28 and atomic number 13.

    That is;

    ²⁸₁₂X → ²⁸₁₃Y + ⁴₂He

    Therefore, the radioisotope formed after the two decay at the end of decay chain is Al-28.
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