(a) Calculate the energy released in the alpha decay of 232Th.
(b) What fraction of the mass of a single 232Th is destroyed in the decay? The mass of 228Ra is 228.031064 u.
(c) Although the fractional mass loss is large for a single nucleus, it is difficult to observe for an entire macroscopic sample of uranium. Why is this?
I) Macroscopic samples contain mainly non-decaying isotopes.
II) 232Th decays very slowly.
III) The reverse reaction occurs simultaneously.
IV) 228Ra decays simultaneously.