A neutron causes the element 88X232 to change according to the reaction 0n1 + 88X232 ---->ZYA + . Identify the (a) atomic number and (b) atomic mass number of the daughter nucleus. (c) This product subsequently undergoes - decay, and its daughter does too. Identify the atomic number of the final nucleus. (d) Give the atomic mass number of this final nucleus.

Question

Any help here would be much appriciated! I don't even understand the equations

Answer 1

0n1 + 88X232 ---->ZYA

element 88 is radium Ra

0n1 + 88Ra232 ---->88Ra233

There is either infromation missing in the question or is it Ra223 you are starting with?

If so the question makes more sense

0n1 + 88Ra223 ---->88Ra224

and Ra 224 under goes alpha decay to

88Ra224 -> 2He4 + 86Rn220

(half life is about 3.7 days and is part of the well known thorium 232 decay series).