Why must the final product of a decay series be stable?

The daughter isotope of any radioactive decay is stable.

No decay chain can emit more than two particles.

Each decay results in a net loss of particles.

If the daughter isotope is unstable, it will decay.

Question

Chemistry

Ruby Edwards

4 December, 23:54

Why must the final product of a decay series be stable?

The daughter isotope of any radioactive decay is stable.

No decay chain can emit more than two particles.

Each decay results in a net loss of particles.

If the daughter isotope is unstable, it will decay.

+3

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Ian Ward · Answer 1

Why must the final product of a decay series be stable? The answer is: If the daughter isotope is unstable, it will decay. Therefore, if it decays, it's still not yet the final product (or the process will continue indefinitely, which we don't want).

Why must the final product of a decay series be stable?The daughter isotope of any radioactive decay is stable.No decay chain can emit more than two particles.Each decay results in a net loss of particles.If the daughter isotope is unstable, it will decay.

Why must the final product of a decay series be stable?

The daughter isotope of any radioactive decay is stable.

No decay chain can emit more than two particles.

Each decay results in a net loss of particles.

If the daughter isotope is unstable, it will decay.