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NEET PHYSICSEasy

The number of \beta particles emitted by a radioactive substance is twice the number of \alpha particles emitted by it. The resulting daughter is an:

A

isobar of parent

B

isomer of parent

C

isotone of parent

D

isotope of parent

Step-by-Step Solution

  1. Decay Rules:
  • In Alpha (α\alpha) decay, the nucleus emits a helium nucleus (24He{}_{2}^{4}\mathrm{He}). The atomic number (ZZ) decreases by 2 and the mass number (AA) decreases by 4 .
  • In Beta (β\beta^-) decay, the nucleus emits an electron (10e{}_{-1}^{0}e). The atomic number (ZZ) increases by 1 and the mass number (AA) remains unchanged .
  1. Calculation:
  • Let the number of α\alpha particles emitted be nn. The change in ZZ due to α\alpha emission is n×(2)=2nn \times (-2) = -2n.
  • The number of β\beta particles emitted is given as twice the number of α\alpha particles, i.e., 2n2n. The change in ZZ due to β\beta emission is 2n×(+1)=+2n2n \times (+1) = +2n.
  • Net change in atomic number (ZZ): ΔZ=2n+2n=0\Delta Z = -2n + 2n = 0.
  1. Conclusion: The final daughter nucleus has the same atomic number (ZZ) as the parent nucleus but a different mass number (since AA decreases by 4n4n). Atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers are defined as isotopes .
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