A radionuclide undergoes alpha emission, and thorium-234 is produced. What was the original radionuclide?

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To determine the original radionuclide, we need to look at the alpha emission process. During alpha emission, an alpha particle (which consists of two protons and two neutrons) is emitted from the nucleus of an atom.

In this case, we know that thorium-234 is the product of the alpha emission. Thorium-234 has an atomic number of 90, meaning it has 90 protons. Since an alpha particle consists of two protons, after the emission, the resulting daughter nucleus will have two fewer protons.

Therefore, to find the original radionuclide, we subtract 2 from the atomic number of thorium-234 (which is 90), giving us an atomic number of 88. The element with an atomic number of 88 is radium.

Therefore, the original radionuclide that underwent alpha emission and produced thorium-234 is radium.

To determine the original radionuclide, we need to understand the process of alpha emission and use the information provided.

Alpha emission is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle, consisting of two protons and two neutrons (equivalent to a helium nucleus). This results in the nucleus losing two protons and two neutrons, which can lead to the formation of a new element.

In the given scenario, thorium-234 is produced through alpha emission. Thorium-234 has an atomic number of 90 and a mass number of 234. This means it has 90 protons and 144 neutrons.

Since an alpha particle contains two protons and two neutrons, we subtract these values from the thorium-234 nucleus to determine the original radionuclide:

Original atomic number: 90 - 2 = 88
Original mass number: 234 - 4 = 230

The original radionuclide had an atomic number of 88 and a mass number of 230. Therefore, the original radionuclide is radium-230.