Alpha Decay of Uranium-238

238U → 234Th + 4He

概述

Uranium-238 emits an alpha particle (helium-4 nucleus) to become thorium-234. This is the first step in the uranium-238 decay series, which ultimately produces lead-206 through 14 decay steps. U-238 has a half-life of 4.47 billion years, roughly the age of the Earth.

参与者

角色 物质 系数 状态
反应物 Uranium U 1 (s)
产物 Thorium Th 1 (s)
产物 Helium He 1 (g)

日常示例

Uranium-lead dating of rocks uses this decay to determine the age of geological formations and the Earth itself.

工业重要性

U-238是铀衰变系的母核。其超长半衰期使其适用于数十亿年地质构造的定年。

属性

类型
Nuclear
可逆
否
能量
放热
ΔH
-410000000.0 kJ/mol

相关反应

Alpha Decay of Radium-226 Alpha Decay of Radon-222 Alpha Decay of Thorium-232 Neutron Capture by Uranium-238 Beta Decay of Iodine-131 Beta Decay of Strontium-90 Alpha Decay of Polonium-210 Americium-241 Alpha Decay Beta Decay of Cobalt-60 Electron Capture by Beryllium-7

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Alpha Decay of Uranium-238?
The balanced equation is: ²³⁸U → ²³⁴Th + ⁴He.
What type of reaction is Alpha Decay of Uranium-238?
Alpha Decay of Uranium-238 is a nuclear reaction.
Is Alpha Decay of Uranium-238 exothermic or endothermic?
Alpha Decay of Uranium-238 is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -410000000.0 kJ/mol.