Question

Write a nuclear reaction for each step in the formation of 218₈₄Po from 238₉₂U, which proceeds by a series of decay reactions involving the step-wise emission of α, β, β, α, α, α particles, in that order.

Answer 1

The transformation of 238U to 218Po through a series of alpha and beta particle emissions involves the decay of Uranium into Thorium, Protactinium, and further into Radium and Radon, eventually leading to Polonium.

Step-by-step explanation:

The transformation of 238₉₂U to 218₈₄Po involves a series of nuclear decay reactions with the emission of alpha (\u03b1) and beta (\u03b2) particles. The sequence of decay is as follows:

1. 238₉₂U \u2192 234ₐ₈Th + \u03b1
2. 234ₐ₈Th \u2192 234ₑₐPa + \u03b2
3. 234ₑₐPa \u2192 234ₐ₉U + \u03b2
4. 234ₐ₉U \u2192 230ₐ₇Th + \u03b1
5. 230ₐ₇Th \u2192 226ₐ₈Ra + \u03b1
6. 226ₐ₈Ra \u2192 222ₐ₆Rn + \u03b1
7. 222ₐ₆Rn \u2192 218₈₄Po + \u03b1

Each step sees the transformation of one element into another, and the emission of an alpha or beta particle changes the atomic and mass numbers accordingly.