2021 NucleiRadioactivity – Alpha and Beta Decay Medium Question 13 of 77 in Nuclei

A radioactive nucleus $^A_ZX$ undergoes spontaneous decay in the sequence $^A_ZX\rightarrow{}_{Z-1}B\rightarrow{}_{Z-3}C\rightarrow{}_{Z-2}D$, where $Z$ is the atomic number of element X. The possible decay particles in the sequence are:

A $\alpha,\ \beta^+,\ \beta^-$
B $\beta^+,\ \alpha,\ \beta^-$
C $\beta^-,\ \alpha,\ \beta^+$
D $\alpha,\ \beta^-,\ \beta^+$

The answer is B.

Solution

$^A_ZX \xrightarrow{\beta^+} {}_{Z-1}B \xrightarrow{\alpha} {}_{Z-3}C \xrightarrow{\beta^-} {}_{Z-2}D$ $\beta^+$ decreases atomic number by 1; $\alpha$ decreases atomic number by 2; $\beta^-$ increases atomic number by 1. So the sequence is $\beta^+$, $\alpha$, $\beta^-$.

Concept decay sequence from atomic numbers

Nuclei in past papers

77 questions from this chapter have appeared across 26 exam years.