THE PRESBYTERIAN UNIVERSITY OF EAST AFRICA
GROUP 3
GROUP MEMBERS REGISTRATION NUMBER
1. FRANKLIN PAUL OMONDI X37/GV/11154/2021.
2. KELVIN KIMATHI X37/GV/11140/2021.
COURSE CODE: SCH 420
COUSRE TITLE: RADIOCHEMISTRY
LECTURER: BRO. JAMES MOGWAMBO
TASK: ASSIGNMENT; RADIOACTIVE DISPLACEMENT LAW
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 7TH MARCH 2025
Radioactive Displacement Law.
The radioactive displacement law, also known as Soddy-Fajans law, describes how the
atomic number and mass number of an element change during radioactive decay, specifically
during alpha and beta decay. The law simply describes which chemical
element and isotope is created during the particular type of radioactive decay.
Background
In 1913, Frederick Soddy and Kazimierz Fajans independently formulated the law of
radioactive displacements, which governs the transformation of elements during radioactive
decay. It was observed that when an α-particle is lost, a new element with an atomic number
less by 2 and a mass number less by 4 is produced. When the β-particle is lost, a new element
with an atomic number larger than one is formed. The parent element emitting an α or β-
particle is referred to as the parent element, and the newly generated element is thus referred
to as the daughter element.
Alpha Decay
In alpha decay, an element emits an alpha particle (a helium nucleus, consisting of two
protons and two neutrons). This results in the daughter element having.
An atomic number that is two less than the parent element. A mass number that is four less
than the parent element. In general, the alpha decay equation is represented as follows:
A A-4
ZX Y + 42He + Energy
Z-2
Examples:
238 234
92 U 90 Th + 42He + Energy
175 171
78 Pt 76 Os + 42He + Energy
Beta Decay
In beta decay, an element emits a beta particle (an electron or a positron). This results in the
daughter element having.
An atomic number that is one higher than the parent element (for negative beta decay). A
mass number that remains essentially unchanged.
Types of Beta Decay
There are two beta decay types: beta minus (β–) and beta plus (β+) also known as positron
emission.
1. Beta minus (β–)
In beta minus, the neutron converts into a proton that causes an increase in the atomic number
of the molecule. The proton is positive, but the neutron is still neutral. In order to preserve
charge stability, the nucleus in the process also releases an electron and an anti-neutrino. Anti-
neutrino is an antimatter equivalent of neutrino. Both are neutral particles of a minimal mass.
The general representation is:
A A
Z X Z+1 Y + e- + v-
2. Positron Emission (β+)
In beta plus decay, the proton disintegrates to create a neutron that causes a reduction in the
atomic number of the radioactive sample. The nucleus experiences a loss of a proton, but it
gains a neutron.
Again, it is necessary to conserve the charge. In order to comply with the conservation law,
beta plus decay also produces positron and neutrino.
A positron is the antimatter counterpart to an electron; they are same in all aspects except that
a positron has a positive charge. This is generally represented as:
A A
Z X Z-1 Y + e+ + v
Examples:
The best example of the beta minus decay is 14C into 14N.
3 3
1 H 2 He + 0-1e + 00v-
(tritium) (antineutrino)
For β+ decay;
11 11
6 C 5 B + 01e + 00v
(neutrino)
Gamma-Emission
The emission of γ -ray by a radioactive atom has no effect on its atomic number or weight.
As a result, its position in the periodic table stays unchanged. γ -radiation is accompanied by
either α or β-emission in natural radioactivity.
Conclusion
Radioactive elements have unstable atoms, and when they disintegrate, a new element is
formed, which is chemically and radioactively unique.
The original element is called the parent element, and the resulting element is called the
daughter element.
The law helps predict the chemical and nuclear properties of the products of radioactive
decay.
