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Radioactivity

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Question 22

An isotope of bismuth, 83212Bi^{212}_{83}\text{Bi}83212​Bi, can decay via two competing pathways: either by emitting an alpha (α\alphaα) particle to form a daughter nucleus Y1Y_1Y1​, or by emitting a beta-minus (β−\beta^-β−) particle to form a daughter nucleus Y2Y_2Y2​.

Which of the following statements is correct?

The daughter nucleus Y2Y_2Y2​ contains exactly one more neutron than the daughter nucleus Y1Y_1Y1​.

The specific charge of the emitted β−\beta^-β− particle is approximately 920 times greater than the specific charge of the emitted α\alphaα particle.

The emitted α\alphaα particle has a typical maximum range in air of approximately 5 m5\text{ m}5 m.

The daughter nucleus Y1Y_1Y1​ has a nucleon number that is 2 less than that of the parent nucleus 83212Bi^{212}_{83}\text{Bi}83212​Bi.

Radioactivity Questions

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /Radioactivity