A radio nucleus $_{Z} X^{A}$ emits an alpha particle and becomes Y. Mention the atomic number and mass number of Y. What do you call the conversion of one element into another element?

Open in App

Solution

The atomic number and mass number of alpha particle is $2$ and $4$ , respectively.
Also the mass number as well as atomic number must be conserved in a nuclear reaction.
Thus the nuclear reaction is $_{Z} X^{A} \to_{Z - 2} Y^{A - 4} +_{2} H e^{4}$
Hence the atomic number of $Y$ is $Z - 2$ .
The mass number of $Y$ is $A - 4$ .
In above reaction, an alpha particle gets emitted from a nucleus $_{Z} X_{A}$ . Hence this reaction is particularly known as alpha decay.

Suggest Corrections

Similar questions

Q. A radioactive element

Y

emits an alpha particle and a beta particle successively and changes into an element

_{82} X^{206}

. Find the atomic mass and atomic number of radioactive element

Y

Q. A uranium nucleus (atomic number

92

, mass number

238

) emits an

α - p a r t i c l e

and the resultant nucleus emits

β - p a r t i c l e

. What are the atomic and mass numbers of the final nucleus?
(i) Atomic number

=

_________.
(ii) Mass number

=

_________.

An element X which has 84 protons and 128 neutrons emits 4a particles and 2b-particles to become element Y. What is atomic number and mass number of Y?

Consider a radioactive element with the nucleus 'X' having the atomic number A and the mass number Z. It emits an α particle. The change thus happens from the parent nucleus X to the daughter nucleus Y can be expressed as:

$_{Z}^{A} X Parent nucleus \to_{Z - 4}^{A - 2} Y Daughter nucleus +_{2}^{4} H e (α - particle)$

Q. A nucleus

_{Z}^{A} X

emits an

α - p a r t i c l e

. the resultant nucleus emits a

β^{+}

particle. the respective atomic and mass numbers of the final nucleus will be

Join BYJU'S Learning Program

A radio nucleus ZXA emits an alpha particle and becomes Y. Mention the atomic number and mass number of Y. What do you call the conversion of one element into another element?

A radio nucleus $_{Z} X^{A}$ emits an alpha particle and becomes Y. Mention the atomic number and mass number of Y. What do you call the conversion of one element into another element?