Question

Write out the following nuclear reactions. Circle and label the radioactive particle(s). Please explain all of your steps. **THIS IS A THREE PART QUESTION**

Answer 1

Answer

(a) The nuclear reaction for bismuth-213 undergoing alpha decay is shown below:

$_{83}^{213}Bi\rightarrow\text{ }_{81}^{209}Tl\text{ }+\text{ }_2^4He$

⁴₂He is the radioactive particle.

Explanation

Alpha decay is a helium nuclei with mass number 4 and atomic number 2. So when Bismuth-213 (mass number 213, and atomic number 83) undergoes alpha decay, it means it disintegrates to emit a radioactive particle, (helium) and thallium with an atomic number of 81 and mass number 209.

Therefore, the nuclear reaction for bismuth-213 undergoing alpha decay is shown below:

$_{83}^{213}Bi\rightarrow\text{ }_{81}^{209}Tl\text{ }+\text{ }_2^4He$

⁴₂He is the radioactive particle.