Question

Identify the nature of the radioactive radiations emitted in each step of the decay process given below.

`""_Z^A X -> _Z^A  _-1^-4 Y ->_Z^A  _-1^-4 W`

Answer 1

`""_Z^A X -> _Z^A  _-1^-4 Y ->_Z^A  _-1^-4 W`

An alpha particle `""_2^4 "He"` is emitted in the first reaction as the atomic mass of Y is reduced by 4 and the atomic number is reduced by 2. An election `""_-1^0"e"` is emitted in the second reaction as the atomic mass of W remains the same and the atomic number is increased by 1.