Question
A nucleus nXm emits one alpha particle and one beta particle. Find the mass number and atomic number of the product nucleus.
Solution
During alpha decay, the mass number and atomic number goes down by 4 and 2 respectively.
In beta-decay, mass number remains same but, atomic number decreases by 1.
The nuclear reaction is as follows:
Therefore,
In beta-decay, mass number remains same but, atomic number decreases by 1.
The nuclear reaction is as follows:
Therefore, Mass number of product nucleus = m - 4 and,
Atomic number of product nucleus = n - 1.
