Write the balanced nuclear equation for the alpha decay of each isotope.

Question

²⁴⁴₉₆ Cm

nuclear equation:?

Answer 1

For this question the learning part is to know what alfa particle is. It is helium atom ⁴₂He

Therefore, we start with what is given: ²⁴⁴₉₆Cm-------- ⁴₂He + ^b_aX , where X is some unknown element with atomic number of a and atomic mass of b

We first find atomic number of this unknown element as 96-2=94.

We then find atomic mass of this element as 244-4=240

so we have: ²⁴⁴₉₆Cm-------- ⁴₂He + ²⁴⁰₉₄X

We now find the symbol for this unknown element by looking at the periodic table. Remember that elements are ordered according to the atomic numbers so we look for the element with atomic number 94. We find that it is plutonium so we finally have the complete equation:

²⁴⁴₉₆Cm-------- ⁴₂He + ²⁴⁰₉₄Pu