Radioisotope thermoelectric generators can be used by...

Radioisotope thermoelectric generators can be used by satellites to obtain power from radioactive decay of various isotopes, plutonium-238 being the preferred fuel. Plutonium-238 decays via alpha emission and has a half-life of $87.7$ years. a. Write the nuclear equation for the alpha decay of plutonium-238.

Radioisotope thermoelectric generators can be used by satellites to obtain power from radioactive decay of various isotopes, plutonium-238 being the preferred fuel. Plutonium-238 decays via alpha emission and has a half-life of $87.7$ years.
a. Write the nuclear equation for the alpha decay of plutonium-238.

Key Concepts

Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decay is the process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves. This process is fundamental to nuclear physics and is responsible for the spontaneous transformation of elements into different elements or isotopes.

Half-life

Half-life is the period over which half of the nuclei in a radioactive sample will have decayed. It provides a measure of the rate of radioactive decay, enabling predictions about how long a radioactive substance will remain active or useful, and plays a key role in applications such as radiometric dating and nuclear power.

Nuclear Equation

A nuclear equation is a symbolic representation of a nuclear reaction that outlines the transformation from the parent nucleus to the daughter nucleus(es) along with any emitted particles. It is essential that the equation obeys the conservation laws of mass number and atomic number, ensuring that these quantities remain constant before and after the reaction.

Alpha Decay

Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons. This emission results in a daughter nucleus with a mass number reduced by 4 and an atomic number reduced by 2, thereby transforming the original element into another element.

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