Isotope A decays to isotope E through the following series of steps, in which the products of the individual decay events are themselves radioactive and undergo further decay until a stable nucleus is ultimately reached. Two kinds of processes are represented, one by the shorter arrows pointing right and the other by the longer arrows pointing left. (b) Identify and write the symbol for each isotope in the series:

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Identify the starting isotope A and its position on the graph.

Determine the type of decay represented by the shorter arrows pointing right (likely beta decay, which increases the atomic number by 1).

Determine the type of decay represented by the longer arrows pointing left (likely alpha decay, which decreases the atomic number by 2 and the mass number by 4).

Follow the sequence of decays from isotope A to isotope E, noting the changes in atomic and mass numbers at each step.

Write the symbol for each isotope in the series, considering the changes in atomic and mass numbers after each decay event.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation. This decay can occur in various forms, including alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay, leading to the transformation of the original isotope into a different element or isotope. Understanding the type of decay is crucial for predicting the behavior of isotopes in a decay series.

Decay Series

A decay series is a sequence of radioactive decays that an unstable isotope undergoes until it reaches a stable form. Each step in the series involves the transformation of one isotope into another, often through multiple decay processes. Recognizing the isotopes involved and their respective decay paths is essential for identifying the final stable product.

Isotope Notation

Isotope notation is a way to represent isotopes of elements, typically denoted by the element's symbol followed by the mass number (e.g., Carbon-14 is written as ¹⁴C). This notation helps in identifying the specific isotopes involved in decay processes, including their atomic number and mass, which are critical for understanding their behavior in nuclear reactions.