Re: Quick question
Maybe a light review wouldn't hurt.
Anyways, can you confirm whether Peter's answer is correct? (It makes sense and I've searched up the answer but then again, I wanna know if it's defs legit lol)
Hey Aysce,
How's uni going cuz,
the question is pretty simply, I took this from my notes today, see if it helps your.
See from the Periodic Table that Iodine has atomic number 53, so the proton: neatron ratio is 53: 67. so you can see that atomic no. is less than less than 83, so it is considered as a stable isotope.
• A stable isotope’s nucleus doesn’t change
• A radioactive isotope has an unstable nucleus which releases particles/energy to become more stable.
o Any isotope with atomic number > 83, is unstable
o Stability of nucleus also depends on neutron-to-proton ratio.
o Most stable nuclei are found in an area of graph known as the ‘zone of stability’
• Radioactivity is the spontaneous change in composition of an unstable nucleus leading to the emission of radiation.
• Alpha-decay
o Occurs when there are too many protons AND neutrons (nucleus too heavy).
• Beta-decay
o Occurs when there are too many neutrons for the # of protons present. A neutron turns into a proton and electron
o Mass number remains same, atomic number +1, electron emitted.
• Positron emission
o Occurs when there are too many protons for the # of neutrons present. A proton becomes a neutron and positron
o Mass number remains same, atomic number -1, positron emitted.
• Electron capture
Occurs when there are too many protons for the no. of neutrons present. An inner-orbital electron is captured by the nucleus, converting a proton into a neutron.
• Gamma radiation
o Emission of high energy photons enables nucleus to lose excess energy and become more stable
yes peters is absolutely right, also check my above notes!
I am currently in year 12, aiming for medicine too lol.