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Ch.20 - Nuclear Chemistry
McMurry - Chemistry 8th Edition
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Capitolo 20, Problema 1

What is the balanced nuclear equation for the alpha decay of plutonium-238? (a) (b) (c) (d)

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1
Identify the parent isotope involved in the alpha decay, which is plutonium-238 (\(^{238}_{94}\text{Pu}\)).
Recall that alpha decay involves the emission of an alpha particle, which is a helium nucleus (\(^{4}_{2}\text{He}\)).
Determine the daughter nucleus by subtracting the mass number and atomic number of the alpha particle from the parent isotope: \(^{238}_{94}\text{Pu} \rightarrow ^{234}_{92}\text{X} + ^{4}_{2}\text{He}\).
Identify the element with atomic number 92, which is uranium (\(\text{U}\)).
Write the balanced nuclear equation: \(^{238}_{94}\text{Pu} \rightarrow ^{234}_{92}\text{U} + ^{4}_{2}\text{He}\).

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Alpha Decay

Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, consisting of two protons and two neutrons. This process decreases the atomic number by two and the mass number by four, resulting in the transformation of the original element into a new element. Understanding alpha decay is crucial for writing balanced nuclear equations.
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Alpha Decay

Nuclear Equations

Nuclear equations represent the changes that occur during radioactive decay, showing the initial and final nuclei along with any emitted particles. These equations must be balanced in terms of both mass number and atomic number to comply with the conservation laws of nuclear reactions. Mastery of writing and balancing these equations is essential for solving problems related to nuclear chemistry.
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Nuclear Binding Energy

Plutonium-238

Plutonium-238 is a radioactive isotope of plutonium with a mass number of 238. It undergoes alpha decay, which is significant in applications such as radioisotope thermoelectric generators used in space missions. Knowing the properties of plutonium-238, including its decay process, is vital for accurately determining the products of its decay in nuclear equations.
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Band of Stability: Nuclear Fission
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In a cave in Oregon, archaeologists found bones, plant remains, and fossilized feces. DNA remaining in the feces indi-cates their human origin but not their age. To date the remains, the decay rate was measured and found to be 2.71 disinte-grations/min per gram of carbon. Currently living organisms have a decay rate of 15.3 disintegrations/min per gram of carbon, and the half-life of 14C is 5715 years. How old are the remains? (a) 1460 years (b) 9900 years (c) 14300 years (d) 18600 years
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