If a plutonium 239 atom undergoes an alpha decay due to its instability, what new element would be produced?
I am looking for how to do it not an answer but if you need to give an answer to better explain go right ahead
Please I am begging for help here... no silly answers please! If you can explain it a little I would be soooo grateful!
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2007-04-24 10:03:51 · 2 answers · asked by .j,kjhgd,jghf 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
U-235
Alpha decay makes the atomic number two less.
94 - 2 = 92 which is Uranium
Alpha decay makes the mass number four less.
239 - 4 = 235
So, the answer is Uranium-235.
94Pu-239 → 2He-4 + 92U-235
2007-04-24 10:08:37 · answer #1 · answered by Eric 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Plutonium has an atomic number of 94 and a mass number of 239. If it emits an alpha particle, which is the nucleus of a helium atom, its mass number reduces by 4 and its atomic number reduces by 2. So, we get 92 and 235 as the atomic number and mass number. That happens to be Uranium 235. To know further decay, pl. see the table 3 of the following link:
http://www.ieer.org/ensec/no-3/puchange.html
2007-04-24 10:13:43 · answer #2 · answered by Swamy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋