Uranium (92 protons) decays by emitting an alpha particle and two beta particles; which element is produced after those three decays?
2007-12-02 04:00:42 · 3 answers · asked by A M 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I will assume you're referring to U-238, the most common isotope. The U-238 decay chain is
Uranium-238 alpha-decays to Thorium-234, which beta-minus-decays to Protactinium-234, which beta-minus-decays to Uranium-234.
2007-12-02 04:08:23 · answer #1 · answered by jgoulden 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
uranium as Z = 92, A = 238 as its natural isotope, although 235 is found naturally as well, lets assume isotope 238
alpha particle is helium nucleus (2p, 2n) (Z = 2) Z is atomic number
beta decays converts a neutron into a proton and an electron and a neutrino (disregard the neutrino, as it is massless)
so we have total number of protons = 92 -2 (+1 +1) = 92
total atomic mass :238 -2 -1 -1 = 234
element will be Uranium - 234
2007-12-02 12:06:02 · answer #2 · answered by brownian_dogma 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you are referring to U238 (?) (Z=92, N=238-92) then the alpha decay results in Z-2, N-2 and the two beta decays result in Z+2, N-2 giving rise to U234!
2007-12-02 12:12:56 · answer #3 · answered by . 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋