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Question
Describe alpha decay and write down the formula for the energy generated in this decay.
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Solution
A radioactive transformation in which an α-particle is emitted is called α-decay. In an α-decay, the atomic number of the nucleus decreases by 2 and the mass number decreases by 4.
Example: \[\ce{_92^238U->_90^234Th + _2^4\alpha}\]
Q = [mU - mTh - mα]c2
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