Starting with ²³⁸U and ending with an isotope of Pb, write a decay scheme in which every nuclide emits only an particle. Compare your scheme to the decay series in Figure 14.5 and suggest a reason why β^– emissions must occur in the ²³⁸U decay series.

Figure 14.5

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Atomic number, Z 94 92 90 88 86 84 82 80 E 1 I I I II ... and the series ends 3 with stable 206Pb. 210Po 206pb 4444 234Th 238 U ||▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 78 LLL 122 124 126 128 130 132 134 136 138 140 142 144 146 148 Neutron number, N Uranium-238 decays... Alpha decay Beta decay ... through a series of 2 a and B emissions...