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Plz help me its the last question

If an atom of Thulium, Tm, has a mass of 172 and ejects an alpha particle, what is the new mass and atomic number? What element does this atom belong to now?

User Syntaqx
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1 Answer

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Answer:

¹⁶⁸₇₉Au

Step-by-step explanation:

The symbol of the atom is given as;

¹⁷²₈₁Tl

If undergoes a nuclear reaction and it ejects an alpha particle;

An alpha particle is the same as an helium atom

¹⁷²₈₁Tl → ₂⁴H + ₐᵇK

K is the hypothetical symbol of the new atom

b is the new mass number

a is the new atomic number;

Conserving mass number;

172 = 4 + b

b = 172 - 4 = 168

Conserving atomic number;

81 = 2 + a

81 - 2 = a

a = 79

The new compound is gold with a symbol of;

¹⁶⁸₇₉Au

User Ankur Gautam
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