Polonium has a large, unstable nucleus. Through which process is it most likely to become stable?(1 point)
Responses
alpha decay
alpha decay
gamma decay
gamma decay
beta-minus decay
beta-minus decay
beta-plus decay
alpha decay
Polonium, with its large and unstable nucleus, is most likely to become stable through alpha decay.
To determine which process is most likely to make Polonium stable, we need to understand the nature of each decay process.
1. Alpha Decay: In this process, an alpha particle consisting of two protons and two neutrons is emitted from the nucleus. This results in the atomic number decreasing by 2 and the mass number decreasing by 4. While alpha decay can result in a smaller, more stable nucleus, it is not the most likely process for Polonium, as it would transform it into a different element.
2. Gamma Decay: Gamma decay involves the emission of a gamma ray, which is a high-energy photon, without affecting the atomic or mass number of the nucleus. It is a form of electromagnetic radiation. Gamma decay doesn't change the stability of the nucleus itself, so it would not help Polonium become stable.
3. Beta-Minus Decay: During beta-minus decay, a neutron in the nucleus spontaneously transforms into a proton, emitting an electron (beta particle) and an antineutrino. This process increases the atomic number by 1 while keeping the mass number the same. Since Polonium has a large nucleus, undergoing beta-minus decay to reduce the number of neutrons and increase the number of protons in the nucleus is the most likely process to make it stable.
4. Beta-Plus Decay: Beta-plus decay is the reverse of beta-minus decay. In this process, a proton in the nucleus transforms into a neutron, emitting a positron (beta+ particle) and a neutrino. This decreases the atomic number by 1 while keeping the mass number the same. However, since Polonium has an excess of neutrons, beta-minus decay is more likely than beta-plus decay.
Therefore, the most likely process for Polonium to become stable is beta-minus decay.