An isotope called sodium-22 decays into an isotope of neon (Ne)
by β + decay. The half-life of this decay reaction is 3.60 years.
Sodium (Na) has atomic number 11.
(a) How much time does it take for the number of sodium-22 atoms in
a sample to fall to 5.00% of those initially present?
(b) (i) Give the numbers of protons and neutrons for each of the
sodium and neon nuclei in this decay reaction.
(ii) Considering your answer to part (i), give two brief
reasons why you would expect the sodium nucleus in this decay
reaction to be less stable than the neon nucleus.
(c) (i) Write down an expression for this specific decay reaction.
Define the symbols in your expression.
(ii) Show that charge, baryon number and lepton number are each
conserved in this decay reaction.
(iii) Explain why the exchange boson in this decay reaction must be
W+.
(iv) For each of the final particles produced by this decay
reaction, state whether it feels the weak force.
An isotope called sodium-22 decays into an isotope of neon (Ne) by β + decay. The half-life of this decay reaction is 3.
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