There are several technological applications for the transuranium elements (Z > 92). An important one is in smoke detectors, which can use the decay of a tiny amount of americium-241 to neptunium-237.What subatomic particle is emitted from that decay process? Write a balanced nuclear equation for this process.

This looks like Alpha decay:

a He atom is emitted: 4/2He

Balance equation is as followed:

241/95Am ----> 237/93Np + 4/2He

**241/95Am ----> 237/93Np + 4/2He

Is the correct answer indeed. I was confused about the part where it was just talking about subatomic particles and thought I wasn't adding an element to balance the equation but neutrons. Thank you!

To determine the subatomic particle emitted during the decay process of americium-241 to neptunium-237 and write a balanced nuclear equation, we can refer to the concept of radioactive decay.

Americium-241 decays through a process called alpha decay. In alpha decay, an alpha particle is emitted, which consists of two protons and two neutrons, equivalent to a helium nucleus. Therefore, in the decay process from americium-241 to neptunium-237, an alpha particle is emitted.

The balanced nuclear equation for this process is as follows:

Americium-241 -> Neptunium-237 + Alpha particle (helium nucleus)
^241_95Am -> ^237_93Np + ^4_2He

In this equation, the atomic numbers and mass numbers of the elements involved are indicated as subscripts and superscripts, respectively. The alpha particle is represented as ^4_2He, indicating 4 mass units (2 protons and 2 neutrons) and an atomic number of 2.

Therefore, during the decay process from americium-241 to neptunium-237, an alpha particle is emitted, and the balanced nuclear equation representing this process is given as ^241_95Am -> ^237_93Np + ^4_2He.

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