Chemistry: The Molecular Science (5th Edition)

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 1285199049
ISBN 13: 978-1-28519-904-7

Chapter 18 - Nuclear Chemistry - Questions for Review and Thought - Topical Questions - Page 817a: 12a

Answer

Alpha emission.

Work Step by Step

Thorium-230 with Z=90 is transformed to radium-226 with Z=88. That is, the mass number is decreased by 4 and the atomic number is decreased by 2. When an alpha particle is emitted, the mass number is decreased by 4, and the atomic number is decreased by 2. Therefore, the transformation that occurred here is by alpha emission.
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