Question

The isotope Ti-48 is produced by the alpha decay of which of the following:

a) ⁵³Mn
b) ⁵⁴Cr
c) ⁵³V
d) ⁵⁴V
e) ⁵²Cr

Answer 1

e) ⁵²Cr

Step-by-step explanation:

The general form of alpha decay is as follows:

`\boxed{ ^A_ZX \ \ \rightarrow \ \ ^(A - 4) _(Z - 2) \ Y \ \ + \ \ ^4_2 \alpha}`.

From this, we can see that during alpha decay, the mass number decreases by 4 and the atomic number decreases by 2.

Therefore, we need to find a nucleus that has 4 more nucleons (i.e., a mass number that is 4 more) than that of Ti-48, which is 48 + 4 = 52.

The only option with a nuclear number of 52 is ⁵²Cr, and therefore, Ti-48 is produced by the alpha decay of ⁵²Cr.