Question

1. What type of reaction is this?
244 Pu+He+242U​

Answer 1

Answer:

Its a Nuclear reaction

Explanation:

• A nuclear reaction is a type of reaction that involves the nucleus of an atom and does not affect the electrons like chemical reactions.

• The the reaction is known as a nuclear reaction;

       ²⁴⁴Pu+ ⁴He → ²⁴⁰U​

• The above type of nuclear reaction is an alpha decay in which a radioisotope Pu-244 undergoes alpha decay to form U-240.

• An Alpha particle is equivalent to the nucleus of a helium atom (⁴₂He).

• Therefore, when a radioisotope undergoes alpha decay the mass number decreases by 4 and the atomic number decreases by 2.