Question

Thorium-232 goes through multiple types of decay in order to reach a stable isotope. What isotope is created after the first two decays if it first goes through an alpha decay and then a beta decay?

A)uranium-236
B)protactinium-232
C)radon-224
D)Astinium-228

Answer 1

The answer would be D), if the decay is beta negative.

Step-by-step explanation:

Thorium-232 goes through alpha decay:

Thorium-232 --> Helium-4 + Radium-228

Radium-228 then can undergo beta positive or beta negative decay:

Beta positive = Radium-228 --> Electron + Francium-228

Beta negative = Radium-228 --> Positron + Actinium-228

Therefore, the isotope that is created is Actinium-228