JEE Advance - Physics (2018 - Paper 2 Offline - No. 4)

In a radioactive decay chain, $${}_{90}^{232}Th$$ nucleus decays to $${}_{82}^{212}Pb$$ nucleus. Let $${N_\alpha }$$ and $${N_\beta }$$ be the number of $$\alpha $$ and $${\beta ^ - }$$ particles, respectively, emitted in this decay process. Which of the following statements is (are) true?
$${N_\alpha } = 5$$
$${N_\alpha } = 6$$
$${N_\beta } = 2$$
$${N_\beta } = 4$$

Explanation

Given,

$${}_{90}^{232}Th\buildrel {} \over \longrightarrow {}_{82}^{212}pb$$

where N$$\alpha$$ = number of $$\alpha$$ particles, N$$\beta$$ = number of $$\beta$$ particles

We know that $$\alpha$$-decay is given as

$${}_Z^AX\buildrel {} \over \longrightarrow {}_{Z - 2}^{A - 4}Y + {\alpha ^ - }$$ particle

and $$\beta$$-decay is given as

$${}_Z^AX\buildrel {} \over \longrightarrow {}_{Z + 1}^AX + {\beta ^ - }$$ particle

In above decay process change in mass number A is 20 and change in atomic number Z is 8.

Therefore, change in mass number A $$\Rightarrow$$ number of $$\alpha$$-particles emitted are

$${N_\alpha } = {{20} \over 4} = 5$$

Now, emission of 5 $$\alpha$$ particles implies atomic number reduces by 10 but change in atomic number is 8, therefore, number of $$\beta$$-particles emitted is 2.

Therefore, N$$\alpha$$ = 5 and N$$\beta$$ = 2

So, option (A) and option (C) are correct.

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