If a beta particle is emitted from 88Ra226, then the mass and atomic number will be
Correct answer: A. Mass number remains 226, atomic number becomes 89
- A. Mass number remains 226, atomic number becomes 89
- B. Mass number becomes 225, atomic number remains 88
- C. Mass number becomes 227, atomic number decreases to 87
- D. Mass number remains 226, atomic number decreases to 87
Explanation
When a beta particle is emitted, a neutron in the nucleus is transformed into a proton. This results in an increase in the atomic number by 1, while the mass number remains unchanged. Therefore, the mass number of radium (Ra) stays at 226, and the atomic number increases from 88 to 89, forming actinium (Ac). The incorrect options either suggest changes to the mass number or a decrease in atomic number, which do not occur in beta decay.
Last updated
About Radioactive Decay
Radioactive decay is the spontaneous transformation of unstable nuclei, described by decay constant, activity, half life and the exponential decay law. Work includes alpha, beta and gamma emissions, decay equations and remaining nuclei, with half life distinguished from the time required for complete decay.
Practise Nuclear Physics
1,254 free Nuclear Physics MCQs from Physics, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Exams that ask Physics questions like this
Physics is on 13 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
Related questions
A nucleus emits a radiation neither its, mass no. nor charge no. change in the radiation is:
A particle was ejected from the nucleus of an atom in a radioactive decay and the active number of the atom increased. The particle was probably:
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'?
According to the equation AZ X → Y + 3 α particles, what are the atomic and mass numbers of 'Y'?
An alpha particle is emitted from 88Ra226. What is the mass and atomic number of the daughter nucleus ?