Question

how many individual decay steps are in the decay chain of uranium - 238 before the stable end product of lead - 206 is produced? a 20 b 14 c 200 d 32

Explanation:

The decay chain of uranium - 238 ($^{238}$U) to lead - 206 ($^{206}$Pb) involves a series of alpha ($\alpha$) and beta ($\beta$) decays. Each alpha decay reduces the mass number by 4 and the atomic number by 2, while beta decay changes a neutron to a proton (mass number remains the same, atomic number increases by 1). By analyzing the decay steps in the uranium - 238 decay series, it is known that there are 14 individual decay steps.

Answer:

B. 14