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MHT CET 202624 AprilMorning Shift
Exam
MHT CET
Year
2026
Date
24 April
Shift
Morning Shift
Subject
Physics
Chapter
Nuclear Physics

MHT CET 2026 · 24 April · Morning Shift · Physics · Nuclear Physics

A radioactive nucleus _ 92 X^ 235 decays to _ 91 Y^ 231 . Which of...

A radioactive nucleus 92X235{}_{92}X^{235} decays to 91Y231{}_{91}Y^{231}. Which of the following particles are emitted?

Options

  1. AOne alpha and one beta particle
  2. BTwo deuterons and one positron
  3. COne alpha and one proton
  4. DOne proton and four neutrons

Correct answer

A. One alpha and one beta particle

Step-by-step solution

The decay reaction can be written as:

92X235→91Y231+nα(2He4)+nβ(−1e0){}_{92}X^{235} \rightarrow {}_{91}Y^{231} + n_{\alpha} ({}_{2}He^{4}) + n_{\beta} ({}_{-1}e^{0})

By conservation of mass number:

235=231+4nα+0235 = 231 + 4n_{\alpha} + 0

4nα=4⇒nα=14n_{\alpha} = 4 \Rightarrow n_{\alpha} = 1

By conservation of atomic number:

92=91+2nα−nβ92 = 91 + 2n_{\alpha} - n_{\beta}

92=91+2(1)−nβ92 = 91 + 2(1) - n_{\beta}

92=93−nβ⇒nβ=192 = 93 - n_{\beta} \Rightarrow n_{\beta} = 1

Thus, one alpha particle and one beta particle are emitted.

Answer: One alpha and one beta particle
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