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I have to work out which if these two beta-decay processes are energetically possible, given that the beta-decay energy of Li-11 is Q = 20 MeV. The two processes are:
(1)
〖Li〗_11→〖Be〗_9+2n
(2)
〖Li〗_11→〖He〗_3+〖He〗_8
I am supposed to use the energy conditions for beta-decay equations, i.e.:
Q={M(Z,A)-M(Z+1,A)-m_e } c^2
Q={M(Z,A)-M(Z-1,A)-m_e } c^2
But I don’t know which one; in the first process the numbers of neutrons and protons both decrease by one – how is this possible? (In the second process, the number of neutrons decreases by one and the number of protons increases by one, so I guess that is beta-minus).
Basically, I don’t understand how the decay process works, and from then how to calculate Q when there are two daughter nuclei. So an explanation would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
(1)
〖Li〗_11→〖Be〗_9+2n
(2)
〖Li〗_11→〖He〗_3+〖He〗_8
I am supposed to use the energy conditions for beta-decay equations, i.e.:
Q={M(Z,A)-M(Z+1,A)-m_e } c^2
Q={M(Z,A)-M(Z-1,A)-m_e } c^2
But I don’t know which one; in the first process the numbers of neutrons and protons both decrease by one – how is this possible? (In the second process, the number of neutrons decreases by one and the number of protons increases by one, so I guess that is beta-minus).
Basically, I don’t understand how the decay process works, and from then how to calculate Q when there are two daughter nuclei. So an explanation would be much appreciated.
Thanks!