The following nuclei decay by emitting alpha particles....

The following nuclei decay by emitting alpha particles. Write an equation for each nuclear reaction and identify the product nucleus.
(a) 210
83
(b) $\frac{238}{94} \mathrm{Pu}$
(c) 174
72 $\mathrm{Hf}$

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Key Concepts

Identification of Daughter Nucleus

To identify the daughter nucleus in an alpha decay process, one subtracts 4 from the mass number and 2 from the atomic number of the parent nucleus. This systematic reduction leads to the proper determination of the resulting element and its isotope, based on the periodic table.

Nuclear Reaction Equation Representation

Writing nuclear reaction equations involves clearly stating the parent nucleus, the emitted particle (in this case, an alpha particle), and the resultant daughter nucleus. The notation typically includes the mass number as a superscript and the atomic number as a subscript for each nuclear species involved.

Conservation of Mass Number and Atomic Number

In nuclear reactions such as alpha decay, the total mass number and the total atomic number are conserved. This means that the mass number of the parent nucleus is reduced by 4 while its atomic number is reduced by 2 when an alpha particle is emitted, ensuring the sums remain balanced on both sides of the reaction equation.

Alpha Decay

Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle—a cluster of two protons and two neutrons. This process decreases the atomic number by 2 and the mass number by 4, transforming the original element into a different element.

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