Explaining Alpha Decay Energies in 232Th

[jackxxny]

Homework Statement

I got ask the following question, and i don't know the answer.

Why in a rdioactive decay of 232Th by alpha emission, the alpha particle can have energy 4.01 Mev and 3.95 Mev?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I look up this website and i found it.

http://atom.kaeri.re.kr/cgi-bin/decay?Th-232 A

But i don't understand why.

Is because of the probility?

 

[FunkyDwarf]

Yes, there are different possible decay products with different probability weightings.

 

[jackxxny]

the part that i don't get is how Th232 -->decay--> Ra228

why does the alpha particle can have 2 different energies??

 

[Dick]

Judging from your picture it looks like Th will decay in the majority of cases to two different excited states of Ra (which can subsequently emit a gamma to get to the ground state of Ra). If it decays to the higher energy state of Ra then there is less energy left for the alpha.

 

[JakePearson]

well if Th232 decays by alpha emission it loses a He atom
thus Th232 = Ra228 + He4
hope this helps