This seems to contradict the earlier post where astronauc noted that when the uranium decays, "2 electrons leave" ... and then connect with the alpha particle to form a helium atom. So do two electrons "leave" (where do they go), or does the thorium become a -2 ion which later is neutralized...
Thank you Astronuc, your explanation of the alpha particle aquiring the stripped electrons makes it all work for me. I don't know why this is not explained in every text and online source as I have read a lot and this is the first I have heard of that idea
My final question I suppose is why...
Thanks for the insight ... I see that mathematically it can be accounted for in a nuclide way or total atomic way, but which one is more accurate to represent the true reaction we are seeing or looking at.
Is the true alpha decay reaction we are looking at simply an analysis of the nuclides...
Alpha Decay "extra" electrons
I am sure this question has been asked before, and I have searched many sources for a good answer, but have yet to be satisfied with what i have read.
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Question 1 deals with this version of the decay formula
238/92 U -->...