Is their a formula to predict which type of decay a radioisotope will go true, what I mean is can one predict if a given isotope will go thru beta alpha or gamma decay?

Is their a formula to predict which type of decay a radioisotope will go true, what I mean is can one predict if a given isotope will go thru beta alpha or gamma decay?

 

Yes, it depends on in what way the nucleus is unstable

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_radiation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_radiation

 

gamma is beta positive which then annihilates with a beta negative nearby...

ok thanks, so does that mean that Na24 would go thru alpha radiation to from Na22 and that does bata to make lighter forms of Na?

Edit:

Wait…no what has 11 neutrons and 9 protons…?

edit:Would it be Na24->F20->O15->B11(STABLE)????

Generally alpha decay will only happen for nuclei heavier than Pb. If you look at a Chart of the Nuclides, which shows all nuclides by plotting N vs Z, there is a "line of stability." Things tend to decay toward the line.

ok thanks' date=' so does that mean that Na24 would go thru alpha radiation to from Na22 and that does bata to make lighter forms of Na?

Edit:

Wait…no what has 11 neutrons and 9 protons…?

edit:Would it be Na24->F20->O15->B11(STABLE)????[/quote']

 

I'm not sure about Na24, and am a bit busy atm... but...

 

*consults his lab book, having done an experiment on Na22*

 

Na22 decays with Beta positive decay, which then annihilates with an electron, which gives off 2 photons at 180^o from each other, each of energy 0.51MeV. The decay forms Ne22 which decays again releasing a photon of 1.27MeV