18. What type of radiation is emitted when K-38 decays into Ca-38? Show the nuclear equation that leads you to this answer.

Question

18.	What type of radiation is emitted when K-38 decays into Ca-38?  Show the nuclear equation that leads you to this answer.

anonymous · Answer

@cuanchi

anonymous · Answer

@Luigi0210

jfraser · Answer

you have 2 of the 3 pieces that this nuclear reaction needs. Remember that the $total$ atomic number must be conserved, and the $total$ mass number must also be conserved.$$^{38}_{19}K \rightarrow \space  ^{38}_{20}Ca + \space ^A_ZX$$Find the values of Z and A that make the equation balanced, and determine what the identity of the particle is

anonymous · Answer

thank you

anonymous · Answer

but could you show me how to do that ?

jfraser · Answer

look at the atomic masses (A) of the reactants and products. The total MUST BE conserved:

38 = 38 + ?

jfraser · Answer

now look at the atomic numbers (Z) of the reactants and products. The total MUST BE conserved:

19 = 20 + ?

anonymous · Answer

Beta radiation
Radioactive K-38 decays to stable Ar 38 by electron capture or positron emission Alternately, it decays to stable Ca38 by beta decay. K38 has a half-life of 7.636(18) min. The long half life of this primordial radioisotope is caused by a highly spin-forbidden transition: K38 has a nuclear spin of 3, while both of its decay daughters are even-even isotopes with spins of 0.
                  K-38        →    C 38+  A     X
                                                       Z     
           19                   20 

K-38-19=19 neutron
CA-38-20=18 neutrons
am i doing this correctly? @JFraser

anonymous · Answer

Am I doing this right?