What is $\alpha-$,$\beta-$ and $\gamma-$decay? Write their general formulas.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) $1$. $\alpha-$decay: In this process,an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle ($^4_2He$ nucleus). The mass number decreases by $4$ and the atomic number decreases by $2$.
General formula: $^{A}_{Z}X \rightarrow ^{A-4}_{Z-2}Y + ^{4}_{2}He + Q$
$2$. $\beta-$decay: In this process,a neutron converts into a proton (or vice versa) emitting an electron/positron and an antineutrino/neutrino. In $\beta^-$ decay,a neutron becomes a proton,emitting an electron $(e^-)$ and an antineutrino $(\bar{\nu})$.
General formula: $^{A}_{Z}X \rightarrow ^{A}_{Z+1}Y + ^{0}_{-1}e + \bar{\nu}$
$3$. $\gamma-$decay: In this process,an excited nucleus releases excess energy in the form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation (photons) without changing its mass number or atomic number.
General formula: $^{A}_{Z}X^* \rightarrow ^{A}_{Z}X + \gamma$

Explore More

Similar Questions

Explain the conservation of linear momentum for the radioactive decay of a radium nucleus.

The $\beta$-decay process,discovered around $1900$,is basically the decay of a neutron $(n)$. In the laboratory,a proton $(p)$ and an electron $(e^-)$ are observed as the decay products of the neutron. Therefore,considering the decay of a neutron as a two-body decay process,it was predicted theoretically that the kinetic energy of the electron should be a constant. But experimentally,it was observed that the electron kinetic energy has a continuous spectrum. Considering a three-body decay process,i.e.,$n \rightarrow p + e^- + \bar{\nu}_e$,around $1930$,Pauli explained the observed electron energy spectrum. Assuming the anti-neutrino $(\bar{\nu}_e)$ to be massless and possessing negligible energy,and the neutron to be at rest,momentum and energy conservation principles are applied. From this calculation,the maximum kinetic energy of the electron is $0.8 \times 10^6 \ eV$. The kinetic energy carried by the proton is only the recoil energy.
$1.$ What is the maximum energy of the anti-neutrino?
$(A)$ Zero
$(B)$ Much less than $0.8 \times 10^6 \ eV$
$(C)$ Nearly $0.8 \times 10^6 \ eV$
$(D)$ Much larger than $0.8 \times 10^6 \ eV$
$2.$ If the anti-neutrino had a mass of $3 \ eV/c^2$ (where $c$ is the speed of light) instead of zero mass,what should be the range of the kinetic energy,$K$,of the electron?
$(A)$ $0 \leq K \leq 0.8 \times 10^6 \ eV$
$(B)$ $3.0 \ eV \leq K \leq 0.8 \times 10^6 \ eV$
$(C)$ $3.0 \ eV \leq K < 0.8 \times 10^6 \ eV$
$(D)$ $0 \leq K < 0.8 \times 10^6 \ eV$
Give the answer for question $1$ and $2$.

$A$ sample of a radioactive nucleus $A$ disintegrates to another radioactive nucleus $B$,which in turn disintegrates to some other stable nucleus $C$. Plot a graph showing the variation of the number of atoms of nucleus $B$ versus time:
(Assume that at $t=0$,there are no $B$ atoms in the sample)

Which of the following processes represents a gamma-decay?

$A$ stationary nucleus of mass number $220$ emits an $\alpha$-particle. If the energy released in the process is $5.5 \, MeV$,find the kinetic energy of the $\alpha$-particle in $MeV$.

Difficult
View Solution

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo