Physics
An element P disintegrates by α emission and the new element suffers two further disintegrations, both by β emission, to form an element Q. Explain the fact that P and Q are the isotopes.
Answer
As we know, the atoms of same element, having same atomic number Z, but different mass number A, are called isotopes.
When the element P disintegrates by α emission, atomic number of P decreases by 2 and mass no. decreases by 4 then the atomic number increases by 1 due to first β emission and again increases by 1 due to second β emission and we get Q. We observe that atomic number of Q becomes the same as it was before the emission (i.e. P). Hence, P and Q are the isotopes.
Related Questions
A certain nucleus A (mass number 238 and atomic number 92) is radioactive and becomes a nucleus B (mass number 234 and atomic number 90) by the emission of a particle.
(a) Name the particle emitted.
(b) Explain how you arrived at your answer.
(c) State the change in the form of a reaction.
A nucleus of stable phosphorus has 15 protons and 16 neutrons.
(a) What is it's atomic number and mass number?
(b) The nucleus of radio phosphorous has one neutron more than the stable nucleus. What will be it's atomic number and mass number?
(c) What will be the atomic number and mass number of new nucleus formed by decay of a β-particle by the radio phosphorus in part (b)?
(a) An atomic nucleus A is composed of 84 protons and 128 neutrons. The nucleus A emits an α-particle and is transformed into a nucleus B. What is the composition of B?
(b) The nucleus B emits a β-particle and is transformed into a nucleus C. What is the composition of C?
(c) What is the mass number of the nucleus A?
(d) Does the composition of nucleus C change if it emits the γ radiation?