PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Particles and radiation · Particles and radiation
Problem
The α-decay of 95241Am occurs in three different modes, two of which are accompanied by γ-decay. The energies involved in these three decay modes are
- α-decay : 5.443 MeV and γ-decay : 0.102 MeV or 0.043 MeV + 0.059 MeV,
- α-decay : 5.486 MeV and γ-decay : 0.059 MeV and
- α-decay : 5.545 MeV.
(a) Verify that in these three decay modes, the same amount of total energy is released.
(b) Explain why this must be the case.
(c) On the basis of this information, sketch a simple energy level diagram for the nucleus of a neptunium-237 atom.
(d) How do the magnitudes of the nuclear energy levels compare with those of electron energy levels in atoms?
(e) So, generally, how do the energies of electromagnetic radiations emitted from atoms—as a result of electron energy level transitions—compare with the energies of γ-rays emitted from excited nuclei?