Chapter 30.2, Problem 18PP

To determine

To Explain: Nuclear equation for the transmutation of the Radium isotope into $Rn$ by $\alpha$ decay.

Answer to Problem 18PP

  $\text{R}\text{a}\to \text{H}\text{e + }\text{R}\text{n}$

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Alpha particles, are composed of two neutrons and two protons which are bound together into a particle that is identical to a Helium-4 nucleus. In the process of alpha decaying, the alpha particles are produced.

Transmutation is the process of the striking of a single type of nuclei with the other nuclei or with the neutrons. Rutherford was the first scientist who bombarded the atoms with alpha particles having high speed from a given radioactive isotope of radium and he observed that protons resulted from performing such reaction.

The Radium isotope $\text{R}\text{a}$ undergoes transmutation and emits alpha particles and Radon $\text{R}\text{n}$ isotope is produced.

The emission of alpha particles is $He$ . Thus, the equation for the transmutation can be written as, $\text{R}\text{a}\to \text{H}\text{e + }\text{R}\text{n}$

Conclusion:

The required reaction is $\text{R}\text{a}\to \text{H}\text{e + }\text{R}\text{n}$ .