Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Atoms, nuclei and radiation

Atoms, nuclei and radiation — practice question

A radioactive nucleus emits an $\alpha$-particle or a $\beta$-particle, producing a product nucleus. Which decay process could have formed the product nucleus given?

  • A$^{226}_{88}\text{Ra} \xrightarrow{\alpha} ^{224}_{86}\text{Rn}$
  • B$^{238}_{92}\text{U} \xrightarrow{\alpha} ^{242}_{94}\text{Pu}$
  • C$^{228}_{88}\text{Ra} \xrightarrow{\beta} ^{228}_{87}\text{Fr}$
  • D$^{231}_{90}\text{Th} \xrightarrow{\beta} ^{231}_{91}\text{Pa}$

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