The total number of $\alpha$ and $\beta$ particles emitted in the nuclear reaction ${ }_{92}^{238} \mathrm{U} \rightarrow{ }_{82}^{214} \mathrm{~Pb}$ is

JEE Advanced · 2009 · 12 Apr 2009 · Paper 2 · Chemical Kinetics

The total number of

α

and

β

particles emitted in the nuclear reaction

_{92}^{238} U \to_{82}^{214} Pb

Answer: 8

Solution

Each

α

particle emission reduces mass number by 4 and atomic number by 2. Each

β

particle emission increases atomic number by 1 without changing mass number.

Mass number change:

238 - 214 = 24

, so

24/4 = 6

α

particles.

Atomic number change:

92 - 82 = 10

. After 6

α

emissions, atomic number decreases by 12, so we need 2

β

emissions to increase it by 2.

Total particles =

6 + 2 = 8

JEE Advanced · 2009 · 12 Apr 2009 · Paper 2 · Integer answer

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