Question

A radioactive decay can form an isotope of the original nucleus with the emission of particles

• A. One $\alpha$ and four$\beta$
• B. one $\alpha$and two $\beta$
• C. One $\alpha$ and one $\beta$
• D. Four $\alpha$and one $\beta$

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

one $\alpha$and two $\beta$

Answer 2

: Emission of $\alpha$particle decreases the atomic number and the mass number by 2 and 4 respectively. Emission of $\beta$particle increases the atomic number by 1 while the mass number remains unchanged. Therefore, after the emission of one $\alpha$and two $\beta$particle. The atomic number remains the same while the mass number decreases by 4. Hence, the emitted nucleus is the isotope of the original nucleus.