A Uranium-(238,92) nucleus decays into a Thorium-234 nucleus by the emission of an alpha-particle. Given Thorium has a chemical symbol Th build a nuclear equation.

A nuclear equation expresses all of the elements before (LHS of = sign) and after (RHS of = sign) the reaction in terms of nucleon (N) and proton number (A), both quantities are conserved during the reaction. Uranium has the symbol U and both N=238 and A=92 are provided. Thorium has the symbol Th, only N=234 is provided not A. Alpha particle has the symbol α, neither N nor A are provided.Before the reaction you just have a Uranium-238 nucleus, expressed as U(238,92), 1st number is nucleon number and 2nd number is proton number. After the reaction you have thorium-234 nucleus, expressed as Th(234,y) and an alpha particle.Given an alpha particle is a nucleus of two neutrons and two protons, it has a nucleon number and proton number of 4 and 2 respectively, it can expressed with an alpha symbol as α(4,2).Note that the Th proton number is currently expressed as an unknown y.Hence the nuclear decay equation becomes .....U(238,92)→ T(234,y)+α(4,2)Solve for y be recalling that the proton number is conserved during the reaction, hence you can form the proton number equation 92=y+2, where y=90. So the final nuclear equation is......U(238,92)→ T(234,90)+α(4,2) Final Answer

AG
Answered by Alistair G. Physics tutor

5843 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain why objects in free fall drop to the ground at the same speed, regardless of their mass.


What is the photoelectric effect?


What is the equivalence principle of General Relativity and what does it mean?


What happens to the pressure inside a gas-filled ball when the temperature is increased? Explain your answer, stating the assumption made.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning