Question

The alpha decay of a radioactive nuclide (X) emits a He-4 nucleus and produces an isotope of Superscript 235 subscript 92 upper U.. What is X?

Answer 1

Answer: Thus X is Plutonium

Explanation:

Alpha Decay: In this process, a heavier nuclei decays into lighter nuclei by releasing alpha particle. The mass number is reduced by 4 units and atomic number is reduced by 2 units.

General representation of alpha decay :

$_{Z}^{A}\textrm{X}\rightarrow _{Z-2}^{A-4}\textrm{Y}+_2^4\textrm{He}$

where Z = atomic number

A= mass number

X and Y = atomic symbol of elements

$_{Z}^{A}\textrm{X}\rightarrow _{92}^{235}\textrm{U}+_2^4\textrm{He}$

Thus $_{94}^{239}\textrm{Pu}\rightarrow _{92}^{235}\textrm{U}+_2^4\textrm{He}$

Thus X is Plutonium with atomic number 94 and mass number 239