Alpha Decay

[TheRoman]

If Sulfur 34 undergoes alpha decay, what will it become? I'm preparing for a test tomorrow and this is really confusing because everybody i ask says its already stable therefore it cant go under alpha decay but apparently it can. Also, what is the 34 in sulfur 34 mean and what does it do? Thanks!

[Sensei]

I think so it's theoretical question (or tricky).

No matter if this isotope undergoes such decay or not.

 

Do you know how many protons have sulfur?

Do you know how many neutrons have sulfur-34?

Do you know how many protons and neutrons have alpha particle?

 

If you know all above, you can calculate simple way what will be result element.

Then check isotope mass and you can even calculate Decay Energy.

Hypothetical, because it's stable.

Edited April 9, 2014 by Sensei

[swansont]

An alpha has two protons and two neutrons. In alpha decay these numbers don't change for the system, so the daughter has to have two fewer of each.

 

The 34, or any number following the element name/symbol, refers to the total number of nucleons, i.e. protons+neutrons. (It's also the approximate mass of the atom, in atomic mass units) The alpha is a He nucleus, and since there are 4 nucleons, it's He-4.