Question

Radioactive isotopes have unstable nuclei that slowly break apart over time. As they decay, bits of the nucleus (protons and neutrons) are emitted which can cause damage to substances and organisms that are struck by these particles. The simplest type of radiation is the Alpha particle, which is emitted by all elements whose atomic number is 84 or greater.

1. If each alpha particle has the same composition as the nucleus of a Helium atom, how many protons and neutrons make up each Alpha particle?

2. How does the Atomic number change when a nucleus emits an Alpha particle?

3. How does the Mass number change when a nucleus emits an Alpha particle?

4. If an atom of Radium-228 (which can also be written as 228Ra) emits one alpha particle, what would the chemical symbol that represents the resulting atom?

5. If 238U emits four alpha particles, what isotope would be the product?

Answer 1