Question

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

${\displaystyle {}_Z^{A}X{\to }_Z^A{ }_{-1}^{-4}Y{\to }_Z^A{ }_{-1}^{-4}W}$

Answer 1

${\displaystyle {}_Z^{A}X{\to }_Z^A{ }_{-1}^{-4}Y{\to }_Z^A{ }_{-1}^{-4}W}$

An alpha particle ${\displaystyle {}_2^4\text{He}}$ 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 ${\displaystyle {}_{-1}^0\text{e}}$ is emitted in the second reaction as the atomic mass of W remains the same and the atomic number is increased by 1.