Question

the nuclide 232 Th 90 is radioactive. when one of the atoms decays, a series of alpha and beta particle emission occurs, taking the atom through many transformations to end up as an atom of 208 Pb 82. How many alpha particles are emitted in converting 232 Th 90 into 208 Pb 82?

i understand alpha and beta emission separately but i don't know how to calculate just the alpha when beta is involved too. any help is appreciated. thanks.


For Further Reading


Nuclear Chem - bobpursley, Monday, March 3, 2008 at 8:53am
The change in mass number is 24, is that evenly divisible by the mass number (4) of an alpha particle?




yes, 24/4 = 6, so six alpha decays?!?!?

Answer 1

yes, six alpha decays.

Answer 2

thanks alot for all of your help!