Beta Decay of Cesium-137

137Cs → 137Ba + e− + ν̄e + γ

Descripción general

Cesium-137 beta decays to barium-137m (metastable), which then emits a 662 keV gamma ray to reach stable barium-137. Cs-137 has a half-life of 30.2 years and is a major fission product. It is water-soluble and mimics potassium biologically, distributing throughout soft tissues.

Participantes

Rol Sustancia Coeficiente Estado
Reactivo Cesium Cs 1 (s)
Producto Barium Ba 1 (s)

Ejemplo cotidiano

Cs-137 is used in industrial level and thickness gauges, and in radiation therapy devices. The Goiânia accident in Brazil showed its hazards.

Importancia industrial

El Cs-137 se utiliza en mediciones industriales, en registros de pozos en la exploración petrolera, en la irradiación de alimentos y como fuente de calibración para detectores de radiación.

Propiedades

Tipo
Nuclear
Reversible
No
Energía
Exotérmico
ΔH
-127000000,0 kJ/mol

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Beta Decay of Cesium-137?
The balanced equation is: ¹³⁷Cs → ¹³⁷Ba + e⁻ + ν̄ₑ + γ.
What type of reaction is Beta Decay of Cesium-137?
Beta Decay of Cesium-137 is a nuclear reaction.
Is Beta Decay of Cesium-137 exothermic or endothermic?
Beta Decay of Cesium-137 is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -127000000.0 kJ/mol.