The nuclide ^ 212 _ 83 Bi is capable of disintegrating by emitting either an α -particle or a β^ - -particle. Identify the correct pair of equations showing the products of these two decay modes.

Correct answer: A. ^ 212 _ 83 Bi → ^ 208 _ 81 Tl + α , ^ 212 _ 83 Bi → ^ 212 _ 84 Po + e^ - + In α -decay, the parent nucleus emits an α -particle (^ 4 _ 2 He ). The mass number decreases by 4 and the atomic number decreases by 2 . ^ 212 _ 83 Bi arrow ^ 208 _ 81 Tl + α In β^ - -decay, the parent nucleus emits an electron ( e^ - ) and an antineutrino ( ). The mass number remains unchanged and the atomic number increases by 1 . ^ 212 _ 83 Bi arrow ^ 212 _ 84 Po + e^ - +

Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]

Exam: Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
Subject: Physics
Chapter: The Nucleus

Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2] · Physics · The Nucleus

The nuclide ^ 212 _ 83 Bi is capable of disintegrating by emitting...

The nuclide ^{212}_{83}\text{Bi}

is capable of disintegrating by emitting either an

\alpha

-particle or a

\beta^{-}-particle. Identify the correct pair of equations showing the products of these two decay modes.

Options

A^{212}_{83}\text{Bi} \to ^{208}_{81}\text{Tl} + \alpha $, ^{212}_{83}\text{Bi} \to ^{212}_{84}\text{Po} + e^{-} + \bar{\nu}$
B^{212}_{83}\text{Bi} \to ^{208}_{82}\text{Pb} + \alpha $, ^{212}_{83}\text{Bi} \to ^{212}_{82}\text{Pb} + e^{-} + \bar{\nu}$
C^{212}_{83}\text{Bi} \to ^{208}_{81}\text{Tl} + \alpha $, ^{212}_{83}\text{Bi} \to ^{212}_{82}\text{Pb} + e^{-} + \bar{\nu}$
D^{212}_{83}\text{Bi} \to ^{208}_{82}\text{Pb} + \alpha $, ^{212}_{83}\text{Bi} \to ^{212}_{84}\text{Po} + e^{-} + \bar{\nu}$

Correct answer

A. ^{212}_{83}\text{Bi} \to ^{208}_{81}\text{Tl} + \alpha $, ^{212}_{83}\text{Bi} \to ^{212}_{84}\text{Po} + e^{-} + \bar{\nu}$

Step-by-step solution

\alpha

-decay, the parent nucleus emits an

\alpha

-particle (^{4}_{2}\text{He}

). The mass number decreases by

and the atomic number decreases by

.<br><br>^{212}_{83}\text{Bi} \rightarrow ^{208}_{81}\text{Tl} + \alpha

\beta^{-}

-decay, the parent nucleus emits an electron (

e^{-}

) and an antineutrino (

\bar{\nu}

). The mass number remains unchanged and the atomic number increases by

1

.

^{212}_{83}\text{Bi} \rightarrow ^{212}_{84}\text{Po} + e^{-} + \bar{\nu}

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