Question

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?

Answer 1

Curium-247, the most abundant nuclide of curium, decays by emitting an alpha particle and forms californium-243 as the daughter nuclide.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most abundant nuclide of curium is curium-247.

When curium-247 emits an alpha particle, it decays into a daughter nuclide, which is californium-243.

Therefore, when curium-247 emits an alpha particle, californium-243 is formed as the daughter nuclide.

Answer 2

Answer: The daughter nuclide formed is Plutonium -243

Step-by-step explanation:

Alpha Decay: In this process, a heavier nuclei decays into lighter nuclei by releasing alpha particle. The mass number is reduced by 4 units and atomic number is reduced by 2 units.

`^A_Z\textrm{X}\rightarrow ^(A-4)_(Z-2)\textrm{Y}+^4_2{\alpha}`

where A - mass number

Z - atomic number

X and Y are symbols of elements

For alpha decay of curium-247,

`^(247)_(96)\textrm{Cm}\rightarrow ^(243)_(94)\textrm{Pu}+^4_2{\alpha}`

The daughter nuclide formed is Plutonium -243