Alpha decay equation

Radon-222 undergoes alpha decay according to the following balanced equation ... 

Many radioisotopes exist, but not all radioisotopes are created equal. Radioisotopes break down through three separate decay processes (or decay modes) alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay. The following sections show you equations detailing each type of decay. Note The symbols showing the isotope notation for each radioactive isotope cire as follows or 2 Y, where... 

Notice that the atomic number in the equation decreases by two while the mass number decreases by four. Alpha particles have very low penetrating ability because they are large and soon collide with other matter. Exposure to external sources of alpha radiation is usually harmless. However, if substances that undergo alpha decay are ingested or inhaled, the radiation can be quite damaging to the body s internal organs. 

It takes about 10 y for just half the samarium-149 in nature to decay by alpha-particle emission. Write the decay equation, and find the isotope that is produced by the reaction. 

Note also that a new element, radon (Rn), is created as a result of the alpha decay of the unstable radium-226 nucleus. The type of equation shown above is known as a nuclear equation because it shows the atomic number and mass number of the particles involved. It is important to note that both mass number and atomic number are conserved in nuclear equations. The accounting of atomic numbers and mass numbers below shows that they are conserved. 

Using the information provided in Table 25-3, write a balanced nuclear equation for the alpha decay of thorium-230 ( Th). 

Write the nuclear equation for the alpha decay of astatine-213. 

Write balanced nuclear equations for beta decay, positron emission, electron capture, and alpha decay processes and calculate the maximum kinetic energies of particles emitted (Section 19.2, Problems 7-18). 

Radioactive uranium-238 decays spontaneously in a long series of steps, the first of which is an alpha decay. When an alpha particle is emitted from a nucleus of uranium-238, the uranium atom loses two protons and two neutrons. The loss of protons makes the product another element, thorium, as shown in the following equation and in Figure 21.4. 

When a nucleus of uranium-238 undergoes alpha decay, a nucleus of thorium-234 and a nucleus of helium-4 are produced. The atomic numbers balance on the two sides of the equation, as do the mass numbers. 

Writing a Balanced Nuclear Equation Alpha Decay... 

Consider the decay of one isotope of uranium, 9 U, into thorium and an alpha particle. Because an alpha particle is lost in this process, this decay is called alpha decay. Examine the balanced equation for this nuclear reaction ... 

Alpha decay is a common radioactive process encountered with heavier radionuclides. Those with mass numbers less than about I50 (/- 60) seldom yield alpha particles. The alpha panicle is a helium nucleus having a mass of 4 and a charge of -r2. An example of alpha decay is shown by the equation... 

Balancing a Nuclear Equation NASA uses the alpha decay of plutonium-238 ( I Pu) as a heat source on spacecraft. Write a balanced equation for this decay. 

Exit signs Exit signs are coated with a paint containing phosphors. These phosphors are activated by the radioisotope tritium (jH), produced by bombarding lithium-6 with neutrons to produce lithium-7. The lithium-7 then undergoes alpha decay to produce the tritium. Write balanced nuclear equations for both steps. 

In nuclear equations, reactant and product nuclei are represented by giving their mass numbers and atomic numbers, as well as their chemical symboL The totals of the mass numbers on both sides of the equation ate equah the totals of the atomic numbers on both sides are also equal There ate four common modes of radioactive decay alpha decay, which reduces the atomic number by 2 and the mass number by 4, beta emission, which increases the atomic number by 1 and leaves the mass number unchanged, positron emission and electron capture, both of which reduce the atomic number by 1 and leave the mass number unchanged. 

Write balanced nuclear equations for the following transformations (a) bismuth-213 undeigoes alpha decay (b) nitrogen-13 undergoes electron capture (c) technicium-98 undeigoes electron capture (d) gold-188 decays by positron emission. 

Write balanced nuclear equations for the following transformations (a) bismuth-213 undergoes alpha decay ... 

Radioactive decay processes involve the emission of a particle and/or photon (a gamma ray) from the nucleus of an atom. (See Chemical Connection 5.3.8.1 Radioactive Decay—A First-Order Reaction). Alpha decay is the ejection of an alpha particle from the nucleus of the atom (Equation 5.3.8.1) and produces a daughter nucleus that has two fewer protons and a decrease of four mass units. The velocity of the alpha particle accounts for the energy range of 4-6 MeV shown in Table 5.3.8.1. While alpha radiation can cause damage to tissues, it can only do so if the source is ingested or inhaled because the energy of alpha emitters is usually very weak and can readily be stopped by a sheet of paper. 

In order to understand the methodology of uranium chronometry, we shall follow the example presented in the beginner s guide for U that is the most useful uranium isotope for age determination (Stanley 2012). The alpha decay of with a half-life of ( 2.46 0.006) 10 years leads to the build-up of Th that in turns anits another alpha particle with a half-life of (-7.54 0.03) l(y years to form Ra (Equation 5.4). Thus, the number of nuclides after time, T, Nu-234 is... 

When an atom emits an alpha particle, it becomes a lighter atom. We represent this process with a nuclear equation, an equation that represents the changes that occur during radioactivity and other nuclear processes. For example, the nuclear equation for the alpha decay of uranium-238 is ... 

The identity and S5mibol of the daughter nuclide of any alpha decay can be deduced from the mass and atomic numbers of the parent nuclide. During alpha decay, the mass number decreases by 4 and the atomic nimiber decreases by 2. For example, to write a nuclear equation for the alpha decay of Th-232, we begin with the S5mibol for Th-232 on the left side of the equation and the symbol for an alpha particle on the right side. 

EXAMPLE 17.1 Writing Nuclear Equations for Alpha (a) Decay Write a nuclear equation for the alpha decay of Ra-224. ... 

Deduce the identity of the unknown daughter nuclide from the atomic number. Since the atomic number is 86, the daughter nuclide is radon (Rn). SKILLBUILDER 17.1 Writing Nuclear Equations for Alpha (a) Decay Write a nuclear equation for the alpha decay of Po-216. FOR MORE PRACTICE Example 17.6 Problems 59,60. Rn -r He... 

Write three nuclear equations to represent the nuclear decay sequence that begins with the alpha decay of U-235 followed by a beta decay of the daughter nuclide and then another alpha decay. 

Writing Nuclear Equations for Alpha Decay (Section 17.3)... 

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