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Multiple Choice
When uranium-238 undergoes alpha decay, it emits an alpha particle and forms which new nucleus?
A
plutonium-239
B
radium-226
C
uranium-235
D
thorium-234
Verified step by step guidance
1
Recall that alpha decay involves the emission of an alpha particle, which is a helium nucleus consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. This means the original nucleus loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons.
Write down the original nucleus: uranium-238, which has an atomic number of 92 (number of protons) and a mass number of 238 (total protons + neutrons).
Subtract the alpha particle's components from uranium-238: the new atomic number will be \$92 - 2 = 90\(, and the new mass number will be \)238 - 4 = 234$.
Identify the element with atomic number 90 on the periodic table, which is thorium (Th).
Combine the new atomic number and mass number to write the new nucleus formed: thorium-234 (\(^{234}_{90}Th\)).