A Uranium-(238,92) nucleus decays into a Thorium-234 nucleus by the emission of an alpha-particle. Given Thorium has a chemical symbol Th build a nuclear equation.

A nuclear equation expresses all of the elements before (LHS of = sign) and after (RHS of = sign) the reaction in terms of nucleon (N) and proton number (A), both quantities are conserved during the reaction. Uranium has the symbol U and both N=238 and A=92 are provided. Thorium has the symbol Th, only N=234 is provided not A. Alpha particle has the symbol α, neither N nor A are provided.Before the reaction you just have a Uranium-238 nucleus, expressed as U(238,92), 1st number is nucleon number and 2nd number is proton number. After the reaction you have thorium-234 nucleus, expressed as Th(234,y) and an alpha particle.Given an alpha particle is a nucleus of two neutrons and two protons, it has a nucleon number and proton number of 4 and 2 respectively, it can expressed with an alpha symbol as α(4,2).Note that the Th proton number is currently expressed as an unknown y.Hence the nuclear decay equation becomes .....U(238,92)→ T(234,y)+α(4,2)Solve for y be recalling that the proton number is conserved during the reaction, hence you can form the proton number equation 92=y+2, where y=90. So the final nuclear equation is......U(238,92)→ T(234,90)+α(4,2) Final Answer

Answered by Alistair G. Physics tutor

5325 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do I find the half-life of radioactive isotope?


How am I going to remember all of the particles I need to know? (A-level Physics)


Assuming the Earth is a perfect sphere of radius R. By how much would your mass (m), as given by a scale, change if you measured it on the north pole and on the equator?


What is the difference between a vector and a scalar quantity?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences