Chapter 42: Q7Q (page 1301)

The nuclide $^{244} Pu (Z = 94)$ is an alpha-emitter. Into which of the following nuclides does it decay: $^{240} Np (Z = 93),^{240} U (Z = 92),^{248} Cm (Z = 96) or^{244} Am (Z = 95)$ ?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The nuclide $^{244} Pu (Z = 94)$ will decay into $^{240} U (Z = 92)$ through the alpha decay process.

Step by step solution

The given data

The nuclide $^{244} Pu (Z = 94)$ is an alpha-emitter.

Understanding the concept of alpha decay

Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (helium nucleus) and thereby transforms or 'decays' into a different atomic nucleus, with a mass number that is reduced by four and an atomic number that is reduced by two.

Calculation of the product nuclide

Alpha decay of a $_{Z}^{A}$ nuclide can be given as:

role="math" localid="1661572189065" $_{z}^{A} M \to_{z - 2}^{A - 4} N +_{2}^{4} He (α - particle)$

The nuclide $^{244} Pu (Z = 94)$ undergoes an alpha decay that can be given using the concept as: $_{94}^{244} P u \to_{92}^{A - 4} N +_{2}^{4} He (α - particle)$

Hence, plutonium-244 decays into uranium-240 $^{240} U (Z = 92)$ .

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The nuclide $^{244} Pu (Z = 94)$ is an alpha-emitter. Into which of the following nuclides does it decay: $^{240} Np (Z = 93),^{240} U (Z = 92),^{248} Cm (Z = 96) or^{244} Am (Z = 95)$ ?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

The given data

Understanding the concept of alpha decay

Calculation of the product nuclide

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The nuclide244Pu(Z=94)is an alpha-emitter. Into which of the following nuclides does it decay:240Np(Z=93),240U(Z=92),248Cm(Z=96)or244Am(Z=95)?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

The given data

Understanding the concept of alpha decay

Calculation of the product nuclide

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Thermodynamics

Measurements

Physical Quantities And Units

Waves Physics

Quantum Physics

Torque and Rotational Motion

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

The nuclide $^{244} Pu (Z = 94)$ is an alpha-emitter. Into which of the following nuclides does it decay: $^{240} Np (Z = 93),^{240} U (Z = 92),^{248} Cm (Z = 96) or^{244} Am (Z = 95)$ ?