Radon (86Rn222) is an unstable isotope that undergoes α decay with a half-life of3.8 days.(i) Identify the daughter nucleus in this decay process. Show how you obtained youranswer
Question
Radon (86Rn222) is an unstable isotope that undergoes α decay with a half-life of3.8 days.(i) Identify the daughter nucleus in this decay process. Show how you obtained youranswer
Solution
In alpha decay, an alpha particle, which is essentially a helium nucleus, is emitted from the decaying nucleus. An alpha particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons.
The radon-222 nucleus has 86 protons. When it emits an alpha particle, it loses 2 protons, so the daughter nucleus will have 86 - 2 = 84 protons.
The atomic number of 84 corresponds to the element Polonium (Po).
The radon-222 nucleus also has 222 - 86 = 136 neutrons. When it emits an alpha particle, it loses 2 neutrons, so the daughter nucleus will have 136 - 2 = 134 neutrons.
Therefore, the daughter nucleus will have 84 protons and 134 neutrons, for a total of 84 + 134 = 218 nucleons.
So, the daughter nucleus is Polonium-218 (84Po218).
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