Write a balanced equation for an alpha particle from Gd-148
64Gd148 ==> 2He4 + 62Sm144
Sure! Here's a balanced equation for an alpha particle (He-4) from Gd-148:
4/2He + 148/64Gd → 144/62Sm + 4/2He
The balanced equation for an alpha particle from Gd-148 can be written as:
^148Gd -> ^4He + ^144Sm
This equation represents the alpha decay of ^148Gd (Gadolinium-148), which results in the formation of an alpha particle (^4He) and a new nucleus, ^144Sm (Samarium-144).
To write a balanced equation for an alpha particle from Gd-148 (Gadolinium-148), we first need to understand what an alpha particle is. An alpha particle is a helium nucleus consisting of two protons and two neutrons. When a radioactive nucleus emits an alpha particle, it loses two protons and two neutrons, resulting in the transformation of the original element into a different element.
Now, let's proceed to write the balanced equation. Gadolinium-148 (Gd^148) decays by emitting an alpha particle (He^4). This decay process can be represented as follows:
Gd^148 ⟶ He^4 + X
In this equation, the element X represents the new element that is formed after the emission of the alpha particle. To determine the identity of X, we need to consider the atomic number of both gadolinium (64) and helium (2). Since an alpha particle consists of two protons, by subtracting the atomic number of helium from the atomic number of gadolinium, we find that the new element X would have an atomic number of 62.
Thus, the balanced equation for an alpha particle from Gd-148 is:
Gd^148 ⟶ He^4 + Sm^144
In this equation, Sm^144 represents samarium-144, the new element formed after the emission of the alpha particle from gadolinium-148.
64Gd148 ==> 2He4 + 62X144
Look up element 62 for X. Looks like Sm to me.