Question

A nucleus of an atom consists of 146 neutrons and 95 protons. It decays after emitting an alpha particle. How many protons and neutrons are left in the nucleus after an alpha emission?

विकल्प

• Protons = 93, neutrons = 142

• Protons = 95, neutrons = 144

• Protons = 93, neutrons = 144

• Protons = 95, neutrons = 142

Answer 1

Protons = 93, neutrons = 144

Explanation:

An alpha particle is a helium nucleus, which consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

When a nucleus undergoes alpha decay, it emits an alpha particle, causing its number of protons and neutrons to decrease.

The initial nucleus has 95 protons and 146 neutrons.

An alpha particle contains 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

To estimate the number of protons and neutrons remaining after the decay, subtract the number of particles in the alpha particle from the initial counts:

New number of protons = 95 − 2 = 93

New number of neutrons = 146 − 2 = 144

∴ After the alpha emission, the nucleus has 93 protons and 144 neutrons.