What isotope is produced when the nucleus of an \(^{241}\text{Am}\) atom releases an alpha particle? - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question c - 2021
Question c
What isotope is produced when the nucleus of an \(^{241}\text{Am}\) atom releases an alpha particle?
Worked Solution & Example Answer:What isotope is produced when the nucleus of an \(^{241}\text{Am}\) atom releases an alpha particle? - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question c - 2021
Step 1
Identify the reaction
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Answer
When an alpha particle is emitted from the nucleus of an (^{241}\text{Am}) atom, the atomic mass decreases by 4 units and the atomic number decreases by 2 units.
Step 2
Calculate the new isotope
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Answer
The new atomic mass will be: (241 - 4 = 237) and the new atomic number will be: (95 - 2 = 93). Thus, the isotope produced is (^{237}\text{Np}).
Step 3
Final representation
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Answer
The produced isotope can be represented in nuclear notation as (^{237}_{93}\text{Np}), where (Np) stands for Neptunium.
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