Question

What happens to the position of the element in the Periodic Table when the following are emitted ? [4 MARKS]
(a) An $\alpha -particle$
(b) A $\beta -particle$
(c) A $\gamma -ray$

Answer 1

Part(a) : 2 Marks
Part(b) : 1 Mark
Part(c) : 1 Mark

(a) When a radioactive nuclei ejects an $\alpha -particle,$ its mass number decreases by 4 units and atomic number decreases by 2 units, such taht the position of daughter nuclei is two places back in the periodic table as compared to parent nuclei.

(b) When a radioactive nuclei ejects a $\beta -paritcle$, its mass number remains unaffected but atomic number is increased by 1, such that the position of daughter nuclei is one place ahead in the periodic table as compared to parent nuclei.

(c) When a radioactive nuclei ejects a $\gamma -ray$, its mass number and atomic number remain unaffected, such that the position of daughter nuclei remains the same as compared to nuiclei.