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Yes, plutonium-239 emits alpha particles by decay.

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The daughter isotope is uranium-235.

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13y ago

Uranium-235

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Q: To what does plutonium-239 decay when it loses an alpha particle?
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What kind of decay results in the formation of a different element?

both top and bottomAlpha decay is a kind of radioactive decay in which an alpha particle is emitted from an atom. An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons. Therefore, when an atom of an element undergoes alpha decay, it loses two protons, which changes the atom from one element to another. This is because each different element is identified by the number of protons in its nuclei.or to be more blunt without all the detail radioactive


What is the beta decay equation of radium-222?

The equation for the alpha decay of radon-222 takes the following form. Radon-222 ----> He + Polonium. In an alpha decay, the atom loses 2 neutrons and 2 protons.


An unstable nucleus loses the most mass if the nucleus emits what?

The greatest mass loss to a nucleus undergoing decay by emission happens through alpha radiation. In this case, the atomic mass is reduced by approximately 4. Emission of a neutron (rare) or proton produces a loss of about 1. Other emissions cause smaller losses.


What happens to an atom that experiences radioactive decay?

It loses mass.


How do write equation for alpha decay of actinium-225?

An alpha particle consists of 4 nucleons, which are 2 protons and 2 neutrons. In alpha decay, an alpha particle is emitted from the nucleus of an atom, so the atom loses 2 protons, and a total of 4 nucleons. The atomic number of an atom undergoing alpha decay is reduced by 2, the number of protons lost, and the mass number is reduced by 4, the number of nucleons lost.

Related questions

Does alpha decay always decreases the number of protons by an even number?

Yes, an alpha radiation particle is 2 protons and 2 neutrons so for every alpha particle emitted the radioactive nuclide loses 2 protons.


What is the kind of decay that results in the formation of a different?

Alpha decay is a kind of radioactive decay in which an alpha particle is emitted from an atom. An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons. Therefore, when an atom of an element undergoes alpha decay, it loses two protons, which changes the atom from one element to another. This is because each different element is identified by the number of protons in its atomic nuclei.


What is the kind of decay that results in the formation of a different element called?

Alpha decay is a kind of radioactive decay in which an alpha particle is emitted from an atom. An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons. Therefore, when an atom of an element undergoes alpha decay, it loses two protons, which changes the atom from one element to another. This is because each different element is identified by the number of protons in its atomic nuclei.


What is the kind of decay that's results in the formation of a different element?

Alpha decay is a kind of radioactive decay in which an alpha particle is emitted from an atom. An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons. Therefore, when an atom of an element undergoes alpha decay, it loses two protons, which changes the atom from one element to another. This is because each different element is identified by the number of protons in its atomic nuclei.


What kind of decay results in the formation of a different element?

both top and bottomAlpha decay is a kind of radioactive decay in which an alpha particle is emitted from an atom. An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons. Therefore, when an atom of an element undergoes alpha decay, it loses two protons, which changes the atom from one element to another. This is because each different element is identified by the number of protons in its nuclei.or to be more blunt without all the detail radioactive


How does the mass of a nucleus change with alpha decay?

When an atomundergoesalpha decay, it loses two neutrons (as well as two protons).


What is the beta decay equation of radium-222?

The equation for the alpha decay of radon-222 takes the following form. Radon-222 ----> He + Polonium. In an alpha decay, the atom loses 2 neutrons and 2 protons.


What is the effect on the mass number and charge of a nucleus when it loses and alpha particle?

Whwn an alpha particle is lost we lose 2units of +ve charges and 4 units of mass no. So we are left with mass no.(M-4) and charge (C-2) M=initial mass no. C=initial charge Here 1 unit of charge used is= 1*1.6*10^-19 coulomb


What happens when an unstable nucleus decays via alpha radiation?

mass number decreases by 4atomic number decreases by 2the nuclei recoil quite strongly (compared to other modes of decay) due to the large mass of the alpha particle


What kind of reaction can change one element into another?

There are only 2 ways that can happen, fission or fusion. Fusion is when two atoms combine to become a larger atom (almost exclusively two hydrogen atoms becoming 1 helium atom). Fission is much more common and is present in all radioactive elements.


When an unstable magnesium nucleus undergoes alpha decay the nucleus formed is that of sodium neon magnesium aluminum or silicon?

Magnesium has 12 protons and 12 or so neutrons depending on the isotope. An alpha particle has 2 protons and 2 neutrons. So if magnesium loses 2 protons by shooting off an alpha particle, it will move 2 places down the periodic table and become neon. Neon has 10 protons.


What is the process of isotopes breaking down and emitting particles such as alpha or beta to form a new substance?

Radioactive decay is the process in which a nucleus of an unstable atom loses energy through ionizing radiation. When this happens, one of its neutrons breaks down into a proton and an electron. The electron then leaves the atom as a beta particle.