Radium undergoes alpha decay. the product of this reaction also undegoes alpha decay. What is the product of this second decay reaction?
2007-02-24 08:45:47 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
[edit] Radium series
The 4n+2 chain of U-238 is commonly called the "radium series".
nuclide decay mode half life MeV product of decay
x 238 α 4.468·109 a 4.270 Th 234
Th 234
Thalium
2007-02-24 08:57:40 · answer #1 · answered by BILL@CA 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Polonium. Each decay releases an alpha particle, which includes 2 protons each (Helium nucleus), so 4 total have been lost, creating element 84.
2007-02-24 16:50:36 · answer #2 · answered by MJPM 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alpha decay releases a helium (atomic number 2) nucleus, so it decreases the atomic number by 2.
Radium (atomic number 88) becomes radon (atomic number 86) which becomes polonium (atomic number 84).
The answer is polonium.
2007-02-24 16:51:01 · answer #3 · answered by Thomas G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋