In the form of radioactive decay known as alpha decay, an unstable nucleus emits

ID: 2289599 • Letter: I

Question

In the form of radioactive decay known as alpha decay, an unstable nucleus emits a helium-atom nucleus, which is called an alpha particle. An alpha particle contains two protons and two neutrons, thus having mass m=4u and charge q=2e. Suppose a uranium nucleus with 92 protons decays into thorium, with 90 protons, and an alpha particle. The alpha particle is initially at rest at the surface of the thorium nucleus, which is 15 fm in diameter.

What is the speed of the alpha particle when it is detected in the laboratory? Assume the thorium nucleus remains at rest.

Explanation / Answer

You need the rest masses of the alpha particle and the uranium and the thorium. Work out the missing mass, then convert that into energy...that will be the KE of the alpha particle.

But.... some of that mass/energy will be used to increase the electric potential energy of the alpha... perhaps you have to work that out as well, meaning there will be less KE.

I've no numbers here, so I won't offer to work it out..... maybe I couldn't anyway.

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In the form of radioactive decay known as alpha decay, an unstable nucleus emits

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In the form of radioactive decay known as alpha decay, an unstable nucleus emits

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