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Curicun, named for marie curie, has approximately 25 different isotopes that emit an alpha particle when their nuclei decay. if curium-247, the most abundant nuclide, emit and alpha particle, what daughter nuclide is formed?

A. Californium-251
B. Plutonium-243
C. Californium-249
D. Plutonium-251

User Jcalz
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2 Answers

8 votes

Answer:

Plutonium-243

Step-by-step explanation:

User Jturney
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7 votes

Answer:

Option B. Plutonium-243

Step-by-step explanation:

To know the the correct answer to the question, we shall write the balanced equation for the reaction showing curium-247 (²⁴⁷Cm) emitting alpha particle. This is illustrated below:

²⁴⁷₉₆Cm —> ᵐₙX + ⁴₂He

Next, we shall determine m, n and X. This can be obtained as follow:

247 = m + 4

Collect like terms

247 – 4 = m

243 = m

Thus, m is 243

96 = n + 2

Collect like terms

96 – 2 = n

94 = n

Thus, n is 94

m = 243

n = 94

ᵐₙX => ²⁴³₉₄X => ²⁴³₉₄Pu

Thus, the equation is:

²⁴⁷₉₆Cm —> ²⁴³₉₄Pu + ⁴₂He

From the illustrations above, the daughter nuclei formed is Plutonium-243 (²⁴³₉₄Pu)

User Rohan Prabhu
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