When the daughter nucleus produced in a radioactive decay is itself unstable, it

Question

When the daughter nucleus produced in a radioactive decay is itself unstable, it will eventually decay and form its own daughter nucleus. If the newly formed daughter nucleus is also unstable, another decay will occur, and the process will continue until a nonradioactive nucleus is formed. Such a series of radioactive decays is called a decay chain.

A good example of a decay chain is provided by 232/90Th, a naturally occurring isotope of thorium.

Part A

The first step in the decay chain of 232/90Th is an alpha decay. What is the daughter nucleus formed by this first decay?

(choose from)

234 90Th

232 92U

228 90Th

228 88Ra

230 86Rn

Explanation / Answer

here,

Alpha particle consist : 2 proton and 2 neutrons

therefore daughter product of decay will have atomic number 2 less than the original and an atomic mass that is 4 units less than the parent.

For 232/90Th, we have a daughter that has (Z/mass) = (232-4)/(90-2) = 228/88Ra.

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