A Thorium-232 absorbs a neutron and the resulting nucleus undergoes two successive beta decays. The nucleus that results has.... nucleons,.....protons, and .... neutrons. This is a nucleus belonging to the element .......
have no idea
new mass = 233
two negative charges lost so now atomic number is up two
To determine the number of nucleons, protons, neutrons, and the element of the nucleus resulting from a series of nuclear reactions, we can follow these steps:
1. Start with the initial nucleus's atomic number (proton number) and mass number. In this case, we have Thorium-232 (Th-232).
2. Find out what happens when a Thorium-232 absorbs a neutron. The result will be the formation of Thorium-233, as the nucleus gains one neutron.
3. Next, we need to understand the two successive beta decays that occur. Beta decay involves the conversion of a neutron into a proton, accompanied by the emission of a beta particle (an electron or a positron) and an antineutrino or neutrino.
4. In the first beta decay, one of the neutrons in Thorium-233 undergoes beta decay and is converted into a proton. This results in the formation of Protactinium-233, with the atomic number (proton count) increasing by one.
5. In the second beta decay, another neutron undergoes beta decay, converting into a proton. This leads to the formation of Uranium-233.
6. Now let's calculate the final values.
- Nucleons (total number of protons + neutrons):
Thorium-232: 232 (atomic mass)
Thorium-233: 233
Protactinium-233: 233
Uranium-233: 233
- Protons:
Thorium-232: 90 (atomic number)
Thorium-233: 91
Protactinium-233: 91
Uranium-233: 92
- Neutrons:
Thorium-232: 142 (neutrons = nucleons - protons)
Thorium-233: 142
Protactinium-233: 142
Uranium-233: 141 (neutrons decrease by one due to the beta decay)
- Element:
Thorium-232: Thorium (symbol: Th)
Thorium-233: Protactinium (symbol: Pa)
Protactinium-233: Protactinium (symbol: Pa)
Uranium-233: Uranium (symbol: U)
Therefore, the nucleus resulting from a Thorium-232 absorbing a neutron and undergoing two successive beta decays has 233 nucleons, 92 protons, and 141 neutrons. The nucleus belongs to the element Uranium (U).