A sample of an unknown radionuclide is observed to emit alpha particles and transform…

PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Nuclear physics · Nuclear physics

Problem

A sample of an unknown radionuclide is observed to emit alpha particles and transform into stable lead-210. Measured atomic masses (in atomic mass units, u): •

m(^{214}\text{Po}) = 214.024\,\text{u}

•

m(^{210}\text{Pb}) = 209.984\,\text{u}

•

m(\alpha) = 4.00260\,\text{u}

1\,\text{u}

corresponds to

931\,\text{MeV}/c^{2}

. (1) Part 1: (a) Identify the parent nuclide that undergoes the alpha decay, given that the daughter nuclide is

^{210}_{82}\text{Pb}

. (2) Part 2: (b) Write the complete balanced nuclear equation for the decay, including all emitted particles. (3) Part 3: (c) Calculate the energy released (the

Q

-value) for one decay event, using the atomic masses provided. Express your answer in MeV. (4) Part 4: (d) If the emitted alpha particle carries away

98\%

of the energy released, determine the kinetic energy of the alpha particle and of the recoiling daughter nucleus, in MeV.

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