Uranium-238 decays by alpha emission to form a new nuclide. Identify the new nuclide.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When uranium-238 undergoes alpha decay, it emits an alpha particle (which is essentially a helium nucleus, consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons) and transforms into a new element with an atomic number that is 2 less and a mass number that is 4 less than the original. Therefore, uranium-238 (atomic number 92) decays to thorium-234 (atomic number 90).

Uranium-238 Decays by Alpha Emission to Form a New Nuclide