The nucleus of the polonium isotope 214 Po (mass 214 u) is radioactive and decays by emitting an alpha particle (a helium nucleus with mass 4 u). Laboratory experiments measure the speed of the alpha particle to be 1.97×107 m/s.

Assuming the polonium nucleus was initially at rest, what is the recoil speed of the nucleus that remains after the decay?

368224.29906 m/s

Explanation:

M = Mass of Polonium nucleus = 214 u

V = Velocity of nucleus

m = Mass of Helium nucleus = 4 u

v = Velocity of alpha particle =

In this system the momentum is conserved

The recoil speed of the nucleus that remains after the decay is 368224.29906 m/s

beta is electron from nucleus

something from nucleus has changed, but charge must be same for cons of charge