Question

Beryllium-8 decays through the release of an alpha particle. Draw what the nucleus would look like after an alpha particle is emitted. What element does it become?

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Beryllium-8,⁸Be, undergoes alpha decay through the equation shown below

₄⁸Be - ₂⁴He ⇒ ₂⁴He

Hence, after an alpha decay, beryllium becomes alpha particle (helium) itself with it's nucleus shown in the attached picture. Generally, beryllium undergoes a double alpha decay as shown in the reaction below

₄⁸Be ⇒ ₂⁴He + ₂⁴He