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First off, it's better to be more careful in regards to the word element. What you actually mean is isotope. The difference is subtle, but important. If I had a large rock of Uranium ore that was just mined, you could say I had the element Uranium. However, the element is made up of a certain percentage of isotopes, those being a nucleus that has the same number of protons, 92 in this case, but different numbers of neutrons.

Secondly, alpha decay is defined as the spontaneous emission of a helium 4 nucleus from an isotope, so one of your two resulting elements when alpha decay is involved is always going to be helium. The other element is found by simply subtracting 2 from Pu's atomic number, which is 94, giving you the resulting element's atomic number, which is 92, otherwise known as uranium, specifically, the isotope U 234.

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To what does plutonium-239 decay when it loses an alpha particle?

Yes, plutonium-239 emits alpha particles by decay.


Is plutonium the result of of the alpha decay of uranium?

Yes, plutonium is typically formed as a result of the alpha decay of uranium in nuclear reactors or in nuclear weapons. It can also be produced artificially in nuclear reactors by bombarding uranium-238 with neutrons.


Why is plutonium radioactive?

No it does not. There are various types (isotopes) of plutonium. Plutonium 238, the weapons grade material, has a half life of 88 years. Meaning after 88 years half of the material has transforms into another element through radioactive decay. Plutonium-240 has a half life of ~80 Million years. But eventually all types of plutonium will decay into other elements. All radioactive elements will eventually decay into non-radioactive atoms given enough time.


Are infrared waves given off by plutonium?

No, plutonium does not naturally emit infrared waves. Plutonium is a radioactive element that primarily emits alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays as part of its decay process. Infrared waves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum and are typically associated with heat radiation rather than radioactive decay.


What product is produced when 232 90 Th undergoes alpha decay?

90Th232 undergoes alpha decay to form 88Ra228. Remember, in alpha decay, a helium nuclei is emitted, comprising two protons and two neutrons. As a result, the atomic number goes down by 2, and the atomic mass number goes down by 4.

Related Questions

What particles does plutonium give off?

Plutonium is especially an alpha particles emitter.


What is the product of alpha decay?

plutonium-239


To what does plutonium-239 decay when it loses an alpha particle?

Yes, plutonium-239 emits alpha particles by decay.


Is plutonium the result of of the alpha decay of uranium?

Yes, plutonium is typically formed as a result of the alpha decay of uranium in nuclear reactors or in nuclear weapons. It can also be produced artificially in nuclear reactors by bombarding uranium-238 with neutrons.


Which two elements undergo alpha decay?

The two elements that undergo alpha decay are uranium and thorium.


Some elements such as uranium and plutonium are radioactive. These elements decay over time to form?

Radioactive elements like uranium and plutonium decay over time to form more stable daughter isotopes through a process known as radioactive decay. For example, uranium-238 decays into lead-206, while plutonium-239 decays into uranium-235. This process releases radiation in the form of alpha, beta, or gamma particles. Ultimately, these decay chains lead to stable, non-radioactive elements after several steps.


What is the decay products of americium 241?

The decay products of americium-241 include neptunium-237, plutonium-241, and various isotopes of neptunium, plutonium, and uranium. These decay products are formed as americium-241 undergoes alpha decay and transforms into new elements through a series of radioactive decays.


Which equation represents the alpha decay of plutonium 244?

The equation for the alpha decay of plutonium-244 is: [ ^{244}{94}Pu \rightarrow ^{240}{92}U + ^4_2He ]


What is the alpha decay of plutonium 239?

The daughter isotope of Pu-239 is U-235.


What is the nuclear decay equation for plutonium 239?

The first step is an alpha decay to (guess what!) uranium 235. You can probably take it from there.


What is the other product of this decomposition when Plutonium-238 decomposes by emitting a particle?

Plutonium 238 is an alpha emitter; the decay product is uranium 234.


Can plutonium mix ti make another element?

- Plutonium can react with other elements to form chemical compounds- Plutonium can be transformed in other elements by nuclear reactions or radioactive decay