If the following element undergoes alpha decay, which element does it change into?

Question

234/90 Th

a
Uranium (U)
b
Francium (Fr)
c
Radium (Ra)
d
Radon (Rn)

Answer 1

When an element undergoes alpha decay, it loses an alpha particle, which consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. For the element \(^{234}_{90} \text{Th}\) (Thorium), we can determine the resulting element after alpha decay as follows:

1. Subtract 2 from the atomic number (Z) of Thorium: \[ 90 - 2 = 88 \] The new atomic number is 88.

2. Subtract 4 from the mass number (A): \[ 234 - 4 = 230 \] The new mass number is 230.

This means the resulting element will be \(^{230}_{88} \text{Ra}\), which is Radium.

Thus, the correct answer is: c) Radium (Ra).