Which of the following equations correctly represents the gamma decay of an atom of ruthenium-97?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_1239_1c71_a3bf_9def13a165d8_MD0008_00 Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of radiation (photons or particles) from an unstable atomic nucleus. Emitting radiation allows an unstable nucleus to achieve a more stable (lower energy) configuration (often by fragmenting into a smaller nucleus). Although several types of nuclear radiation exist, the three most common types are alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma emission. In alpha decay, an unstable nucleus ejects an alpha particle (represented as 11ecba2d_1239_4382_a3bf_1f2ceba3aedd_MD0008_00 11ecba2d_1239_4383_a3bf_592eaa7fe731_MD0008_00 consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons (a helium-4 nucleus without its electrons), as indicated by the nuclear notation of the particle. Beta decay can occur in more than one form. During beta minus (β⁻) decay, an electron (represented as e⁻, 11ecba2d_1239_4384_a3bf_b3ddb254ba2e_MD0008_00 e , or β⁻) and an antineutrino (represented as 11ecba2d_1239_4385_a3bf_41b39895e12d_MD0008_00 or 11ecba2d_1239_4386_a3bf_23fc4bd9181b_MD0008_00 are emitted from the nucleus via the conversion of a neutron to a proton. Alternatively, during beta plus (β⁺) decay, a positron (represented as e⁺, 11ecba2d_1239_6a97_a3bf_1fd43cb5bf58_MD0008_00 or β⁺) and a neutrino (represented as ν_e or 11ecba2d_1239_6a98_a3bf_9f0c3ddedfa2_MD0008_00 are emitted from the nucleus via the conversion of a proton to a neutron through direct transmutation or through electron capture. Although present, the neutrino and antineutrino may not always be explicitly mentioned when discussing beta decay in a chemistry context. During gamma emission, an unstable nucleus in an excited state releases excess energy by emitting a gamma ray (a high-energy photon, which is an electromagnetic wave packet (represented as 11ecba2d_1239_6a99_a3bf_4f6e3f9eed7d_MD0008_00 or 11ecba2d_1239_6a9a_a3bf_cfc8407be021_MD0008_00 but no particle is emitted and the number of proton and neutrons in the nucleus remains unchanged. As a result, the isotopic and elemental identity of the nucleus are unchanged following gamma emission. Therefore, an atom of ruthenium-97 undergoing gamma emission would retain its identity and emit a photon. (Choice A) This reaction shows the β⁻ decay of ruthenium-97. (Choice B) This reaction shows the alpha decay of ruthenium-97. (Choice C) This reaction shows the β⁺ decay of ruthenium-97. Educational objective: Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of radiation (photons or particles) from an unstable atomic nucleus. The three most common types of radioactive decay are alpha decay (ejection of an alpha particle), beta decay (ejection of a nuclear electron or positron), and gamma emission (release of a high-energy photon).

Which of the Following Equations Correctly Represents the Gamma Decay