Question

Write a nuclear equation for the alpha decay of the following isotopes:Thorium-232

Answer 1

The alpha decay of Th-232 produces the nucleotide radium-228 (Ra-228):

`_(90)^(232)Th\rightarrow_(88)^(228)Ra+_2^4He`

Step-by-step explanation:

The question requires us to write the chemical reaction that represents the alpha decay of Thorium-232 (Th-232).

Nuclear chemistry > Types of radioactive decay

Alpha decay corresponds to the emission of an alpha (α) particle - two protons and two neutrons - from the nucleus. A generic representation of an alpha decay reaction is as follows:

`_Z^AX\rightarrow_(Z-2)^(A-4)X+_x^4He`

Therefore, an alpha decay produces a daughter nucleotide with atomic number = Z-2 and atomic mass = A-4.

For Thorium-232, the alpha decay reaction can be written as follows (keep in mind that thorium presents atomic number = 90 and the atomic mass of the considered isotope, Th-232, is 232 a.u.):

`_(90)^(232)Th\rightarrow_(88)^(228)Ra+_2^4He`

The alpha decay of Th-232 produces the nucleotide radium-228 (Ra-228).