alpha emission by plutonium 242
write a nuclear equation
The first number is the atomic number; i.e., the number of protons. The second number is the mass number; i.e., the number of protons + number of neutrons. Note that mass number must add up on left and right sides and the atomic number must add up on both sides.
94Pu242 ==> 2He4 + 92U238
The nuclear equation for alpha emission by Plutonium-242 is:
^242Pu → ^238U + ^4He
In this equation, an alpha particle (^4He) is emitted from the plutonium-242 (^242Pu) nucleus. This results in the formation of a uranium-238 (^238U) nucleus.
To write the nuclear equation for the alpha emission of Plutonium-242 (Pu-242), we need to understand that an alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons. During alpha decay, the atomic number decreases by two, and the mass number decreases by four.
The nuclear equation for the alpha emission by Pu-242 can be written as follows:
Pu-242 → α + U-238
In this equation, Pu-242 undergoes alpha decay, resulting in the emission of an alpha particle (α) and forming Uranium-238 (U-238).