Balancing Nuclear Equations Worksheet

Question

How do you write Radon-220 undergoes alpha deca?

write an equation showing protactinium-229 going through alpha decay forming actinium-225.

write a beta decay equation for uranium-238.

Answer 1

I agree with J.R. that U-238 undergoes alpha decay.

As far as the equation is concerned, the only change i would suggest is that the mass number should remain at 238, not 237. Beta particles have negligible mass.

Answer 2

²²⁰Rn ==> ²¹⁶Po + ⁴He

^{86 84. 2}

You should be able to do protactinium-229 going through alpha decay forming actinium-225 the same way

To my knowledge U-238 doesn’t undergo beta decay. I believe it exhibits alpha decay. But, if it were to undergo beta decay, I think it would look like this:

²³⁸U ==> ²³⁸Np + β

^{92. 93}

^