In the above nuclear reaction, Uranium-235 underwent ____________ decay to become Neptunium-235.
alpha decay
In the given nuclear reaction, Uranium-235 underwent alpha decay to become Neptunium-235.
To determine the type of decay that Uranium-235 undergoes to become Neptunium-235, we need to refer to the periodic table and the known patterns of radioactive decay.
First, let's understand the process of radioactive decay. Radioactive decay involves the spontaneous transformation of the nucleus of an atom, resulting in the emission of particles and/or electromagnetic radiation. There are three common types of radioactive decay: alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay.
Alpha decay involves the emission of an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons. Beta decay involves the emission of a beta particle, which can be either an electron (called beta-minus decay) or a positron (called beta-plus decay). Gamma decay involves the emission of a gamma ray, which is a high-energy photon.
To find out the type of decay that Uranium-235 undergoes, we can look at its atomic number and mass number. Uranium-235 has an atomic number of 92 and a mass number of 235. Neptunium-235, on the other hand, has an atomic number of 93 and a mass number of 235.
Since the atomic number increases by 1 while the mass number remains the same, we can conclude that Uranium-235 undergoes beta decay. This means that it emits a beta particle, either an electron or a positron, during the decay process.
In summary, Uranium-235 undergoes beta decay to become Neptunium-235.