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Consider the following nuclear decay: ""...

Consider the following nuclear decay: `""_(92)^(236)Uto""_(90)^(234)Th+X`
If the uranium is at rest before its decay, which one of the following statements is true concerning the final nuclei?

A

They have equal kinetic energies, but he thorium nucleus has much more momentum.

B

They have momenta of equal magnitudes, but the thorium nucleus has much more kinetic energy.

C

They have equal kinetic energies and momenta of equal magnitudes

D

They have momenta of equal magnitudes, but X has much more kinetic energy

Text Solution

AI Generated Solution

The correct Answer is:
To solve the problem regarding the nuclear decay of Uranium-236 into Thorium-234 and another particle (X), we need to analyze the conservation laws that apply during this decay process. ### Step-by-Step Solution: 1. **Identify the Decay Process**: The decay can be represented as: \[ \text{Uranium-236} \rightarrow \text{Thorium-234} + X \] Here, \(X\) represents the other particle produced during the decay. 2. **Conservation of Mass Number**: The mass number (A) must be conserved in nuclear reactions. The mass number of Uranium-236 is 236, and Thorium-234 has a mass number of 234. Thus, we can find the mass number of particle \(X\): \[ A_{\text{U}} = A_{\text{Th}} + A_X \implies 236 = 234 + A_X \implies A_X = 2 \] Therefore, \(X\) is a particle with a mass number of 2, which indicates that \(X\) is likely an alpha particle (\(^4_2He\)). 3. **Conservation of Atomic Number**: The atomic number (Z) must also be conserved. The atomic number of Uranium-236 is 92, and Thorium-234 has an atomic number of 90. Thus, we can find the atomic number of particle \(X\): \[ Z_{\text{U}} = Z_{\text{Th}} + Z_X \implies 92 = 90 + Z_X \implies Z_X = 2 \] This confirms that \(X\) is indeed an alpha particle, as it has an atomic number of 2. 4. **Kinetic Energy and Momentum Considerations**: Since the uranium nucleus is initially at rest, the total momentum before decay is zero. According to the conservation of momentum: \[ \text{Momentum of Thorium} + \text{Momentum of X} = 0 \] This implies that the momentum of Thorium and the momentum of \(X\) are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction: \[ p_{\text{Th}} = -p_X \] 5. **Kinetic Energy Comparison**: The kinetic energy of a particle is given by the formula: \[ KE = \frac{p^2}{2m} \] Since \(p_{\text{Th}} = -p_X\), we can express the kinetic energies in terms of their masses: \[ KE_{\text{Th}} = \frac{p_{\text{Th}}^2}{2m_{\text{Th}}}, \quad KE_X = \frac{p_X^2}{2m_X} \] Given that \(m_X\) (mass of alpha particle) is less than \(m_{\text{Th}}\) (mass of Thorium), the kinetic energy of \(X\) will be greater than that of Thorium. 6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the correct statement concerning the final nuclei is that they have momenta of equal magnitudes, but the kinetic energy of \(X\) is greater than that of Thorium. ### Final Answer: The correct statement is: "They have momenta of equal magnitudes, but the kinetic energy of \(X\) is more as compared to Thorium."
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