What are isotopes?
Define (i) radioactivity, (ii) radioisotope - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question (c) - 2011
Question (c)
What are isotopes?
Define (i) radioactivity, (ii) radioisotope.
Carbon-14 decays by beta particle emission. Write a balanced equation to describe beta-decay of the... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:What are isotopes?
Define (i) radioactivity, (ii) radioisotope - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question (c) - 2011
Step 1
Define (i) radioactivity
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Answer
Radioactivity is the spontaneous random decay of a nucleus, resulting in the release of radiation (alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays) from unstable nuclei.
Step 2
Define (ii) radioisotope
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Answer
A radioisotope is a radioactive form of an element that emits radiation and has an unstable nucleus.
Step 3
Write a balanced equation to describe beta-decay of the carbon-14 nucleus
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Answer
614C→714N+β−+uˉe
Step 4
Explain why the carbon-12 to carbon-14 isotope ratio in the shoe leather changed over the 5,500 years since the shoe was made
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Answer
Over the 5,500 years, carbon-14 has decayed into nitrogen-14. As carbon-14 decays over time, the proportion of carbon-12 (which is stable) increases relative to carbon-14, thus altering the isotope ratio in the shoe leather.
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