Neptunium-237 decays through alpha decay and forms protactinium. Estimate the kinetic energy of the alpha particle.

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Neptunium-237 decays through alpha decay and forms protactinium. Estimate the
kinetic energy of the alpha particle.
Transcribed Image Text:Neptunium-237 decays through alpha decay and forms protactinium. Estimate the kinetic energy of the alpha particle.
Expert Solution
Concept and Principle:
  • Alpha decay is one of the three main forms of radioactive decay. In alpha decay, the unstable nucleus will release two protons and two neutrons as an alpha particle. An alpha particle is basically a helium nucleus.

 

  • The following reaction takes place in alpha decay.

XNZAX'N2Z2A4+He224

Here X is the unstable nucleus.

  • The kinetic energy of the alpha particle released is given by,

Kα=(A4A)Q

Here A is the atomic number of the parent nucleus and Q is the energy released in the reaction.

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