Question

Iridium-192 is used in medicine to treat prostate cancer. Iridium-192 has two modes of radioactive decay: 96% of the time it decays by beta emission and 4% of the time it decays by electron capture. What are the daughter nuclides of these two decay processes?

Answer 1

The daughter nuclides of these two decay processes are
`^(192)_(78)Pt` and
`^(192)_(76)Os`.

Step-by-step explanation:

The beta emission is represented by:

A = (Z + 1) + (n - 1) = is invariant

n: neutron

p: proton

`^(A)_(Z)X \rightarrow ^(A)_(Z+1)Y`

Hence, the daughter nuclide of the beta emission of Ir-192 is:

`^(192)_(77)Ir \rightarrow ^(192)_(78)Pt`

Now, electron capture is represented by:

A = (Z - 1) + (n + 1) = is invariant

`^(A)_(Z)X \rightarrow ^(A)_(Z-1)Y`

Then, the daughter nuclide of the electron capture of Ir-192 is:

`^(192)_(77)Ir \rightarrow ^(192)_(76)Os`

Therefore, the daughter nuclides of these two decay processes are
`^(192)_(78)Pt` and
`^(192)_(76)Os`.

I hope it helps you!