General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry: Structures of Life (5th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321967461
ISBN 13: 978-0-32196-746-6

Chapter 5 - Nuclear Chemistry - 5.2 Nuclear Reactions - Questions and Problems - Page 162: 5.14

Answer

a) curium-243: $^{243}_{96}$Cm --> $^{239}_{94}$Pu + $^4_2$He b) $^{252}_{99}$Es --> $^{248}_{97}$Bk + $^4_2$He c) $^{251}_{98}$Cf --> $^{247}_{96}$Cm + $^4_2$He d) $^{261}_{107}$Bh --> $^{257}_{105}$Db + $^4_2$He

Work Step by Step

An alpha particle always equals a Helium atom, or $^4_2$He. When alpha decay takes place with an isotope, the resulting product is a new isotope of a different element, plus one alpha particle. To balance the equation, and find the new atom/isotope, you must subtract 4 from the mass number of the original isotope and 2 from the atomic number of the original isotope, which will give you a new element, plus an alpha particle.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.