Physics

Physics

Problem

Plutonium (94242Pu^{242}_{94}\text{Pu}) decays into uranium (92238U^{238}_{92}\text{U}) by alpha decay. The energy of the alpha particles takes four distinct values: 4.90 MeV, 4.86 MeV, 4.76 MeV and 4.60 MeV. In all cases a gamma ray photon is also emitted except when the alpha energy is 4.90 MeV. Use this information to suggest a possible nuclear energy level diagram for uranium.

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