GRE Subject Test: Chemistry : Nuclear Decay
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Example Questions
Example Question #581 : High School Chemistry
Consider the following isotope of thorium:
What is the identity of the product following three alpha decay reactions?
During alpha decay, an element emits a helium nucleus with 2 neutrons and 2 protons. Thus, the atomic mass of the new element is decreased by four, and the atomic number is decreased by two.
Three subsequent alpha decays result in a new element with an atomic mass of 232 - 3(4) = 220, and a new atomic number of 90 - 3(2) = 84.
Using the periodic table, we find the element with this atomic number is polonium (Po).
Example Question #2 : Radioactive Decay And Nuclear Chemistry
Consider the following isotope:
What is the identity of the product after the following series of decay reactions?
alpha decay, alpha decay, electron emission, positron emission, positron emission
In alpha decay, a helium nucleus is emitted, and thus the isotope loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons.
In electron emission, a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton and an emitted electron.
In positron emission, a proton in the nucleus is converted into a neutron and an emitted positron.
The given isotope will lose 4 protons and 4 neutrons via alpha emission, gain 1 proton and lose 1 neutron via electron emission, and lose 2 protons and gain 2 neutrons via positron emission. The result is a loss of 5 protons and 8 mass units.
Accounting for the changes in atomic mass and number, we find that the final element is 141-praseodymium.
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