Question

please explain alpha decay equations to me

Answer 1

\[\large^A_ZE_N\quad\longrightarrow\quad_2^4{\alpha}_2+^{A-4}_{Z-2}E_{N-2}\]

Answer 2

but what does that mean? a? z?
for example: write the equation for the alpha decay of radon-222 and determine what isotope has been formed

Answer 3

A is the nucleon number ( all the protons and neutrons)
Z is the atomic number (proton number)
N is the neutron number

Answer 4

so Radon always has 86 protons
and the isotope Radon-222 has 222 nucleons

Answer 5

yeah so how do you find and setup that equation and find the isotope

Answer 6

find the neutron number by taking the difference of N and A

Answer 7

so 136?
then what

Answer 8

\[\large^{222}_{86}\text{Rn}_{136}\quad\longrightarrow\quad_2^4{\alpha}_2+?\]

Answer 9

where is the \[\frac{ 4 }{ 2 }\]alpha 2
coming from

Answer 10

the alpha particle is just like a helium nucleus,

it always has two protons and two neutrons (4 nucleons)

Answer 11

so when dealing with alpha I will always use helium? Then what do i add it by?

Answer 12

pleasee

Answer 13

well its better the write the alpha particle as \(\alpha\) rather than He, because then we know where it has come from , just like a beta particle is really an electron( or postron),

Answer 14

so all you have to do is apply conservation of protons and neutrons ,


if an alpha particle has be ejected, the remaining atom is going to have less protons and neutrons ,

Answer 15

so
222-4
86-2 136-2

Answer 16

now all that is left is to determine what species of atom has 86-2 protons, simply look at pt

Answer 17

tell me what you get

Answer 18

polonium? do i just write + 84Po

Answer 19

Yeah Polonium

\[\large^{222}_{86}\text{Rn}_{136}\quad\longrightarrow\quad_2^4{\alpha}_2+_{84}^{218}{\text {Po}}_{134}\]

but to be specific Polonium-218

Answer 20

and also what is the rule for beta decay

Answer 21

im not really ment to be awake (it is 430am) , so im not going to give a full answer to this now,

i will be back tomorrow

the basic equation for beta decay is

\[\large^{A}_{Z}\text{E}_{N}\quad\longrightarrow\quad^{A}_{Z+1}\text{E}_{N-1}+e^-+\bar\nu_e\]