A radioactive isotope 'W' decays to 'X' which decays to 'Y' and 'Y' decays to 'Z' as represented by the figure below. What is the change in the atomic number from 'W' to 'Z'?
Correct answer: B. Decreases by 3
- A. Increases by 3
- B. Decreases by 3
- C. Increases by 5
- D. Decreases by 5
Explanation
The atomic number decreases by two during an alpha-decay and increases by 1 during beta-decay. There are two alpha decays(decreases by 4) and one beta decay(increases by 1). So the overall change is -4+1=-3(decrease by 3). It is numerical and can have only one possible answer.
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