Question

The atomic mass of thorium is 232 and its atomic number is 90. During the course of its radioactive disintegration, 6α and 4β-particles are emitted. What is the atomic mass and atomic number of the final atom?

Answer 1

Hint: Radioactive disintegration: It is the process also known as radioactive decay occurring when an atom is in unfavourable state and its protons and neutrons in the nucleus are having excess energy. It is also defined as the spontaneous process in which excess of the nucleus is emitted in the form of radiations.

Complete step by step answer:
 In order to solve this problem first of all we will study what is atomic number and atomic mass.
Atomic number: Atomic number of an element is referred to the number of protons that are present in the nucleus on a chemical element.
Atomic mass: It is referred to as the atomic weight of the chemical element and is usually double the value of atomic number.

Now we will discuss about α and β particles:
α particles: They are the particles having two protons and two neutrons bound together and are produced during alpha decay of the radioactive material.
β particles: They are the high speed positrons are electrons particles resulting from the beta decay of the radioactive.
According to the question the atomic mass of thorium is 232 and atomic number is 90.

The equation for this integration will be: \[Th_{90}^{232} \to 6He_2^4 + 4\beta _{ - 1}^0 + X_Z^A\]
Here X is the changed element having Z has atomic number and A as atomic mass and helium is the alpha particle.
Using this chemical equation we will balance the atomic mass and atomic number:
Atomic mass =A;

\[
  {\text{A }} = 232 = 6*4 + 4*0 + A \\
 => {\text{A }} = 232 - 24 \\
 => {\text{A }} = 208 \\
\]

Atomic number =Z;
$
  Z = 90 = 6*2 - 4*2 \\
=> Z = 90 - 12 + 4 \\
  =>Z = 82 \\
    \\
$
Therefore, the atomic number will be 82 and atomic mass will be 208 of the element after disintegration.


Note:
Radioactive disintegration is shown by the radioactive materials of the periodic table, and these radioactive materials can be used as alternative forms of energy. The disintegration reactions are controlled in nuclear power plants and used for the production of high amount energy.