AP Physics 2
15.8 Types of Radioactive Decay
15.7 Fission, Fusion, and Nuclear Decay
An unstable parent nucleus with mass number \(A = 232\) and atomic number \(Z = 90\) undergoes the four-step decay chain listed below.
I. Alpha decay to form nucleus \(\text{Y}_1\)
II. Beta-minus (\(\beta^-\)) decay of nucleus \(\text{Y}_1\) to form nucleus \(\text{Y}_2\)
III. Beta-minus (\(\beta^-\)) decay of nucleus \(\text{Y}_2\) to form nucleus \(\text{Y}_3\)
IV. Alpha decay of nucleus \(\text{Y}_3\) to form nucleus \(\text{Y}_4\)
Which row in the table correctly identifies the atomic number of intermediate nucleus \(\text{Y}_2\) and the mass number and atomic number of final nucleus \(\text{Y}_4\)?
I. Alpha decay to form nucleus \(\text{Y}_1\)
II. Beta-minus (\(\beta^-\)) decay of nucleus \(\text{Y}_1\) to form nucleus \(\text{Y}_2\)
III. Beta-minus (\(\beta^-\)) decay of nucleus \(\text{Y}_2\) to form nucleus \(\text{Y}_3\)
IV. Alpha decay of nucleus \(\text{Y}_3\) to form nucleus \(\text{Y}_4\)
| Option | Atomic Number of \(\text{Y}_2\) | Mass Number of \(\text{Y}_4\) | Atomic Number of \(\text{Y}_4\) |
|---|---|---|---|
| (A) | 87 | 224 | 88 |
| (B) | 89 | 228 | 86 |
| (C) | 89 | 224 | 88 |
| (D) | 91 | 224 | 90 |
Which row in the table correctly identifies the atomic number of intermediate nucleus \(\text{Y}_2\) and the mass number and atomic number of final nucleus \(\text{Y}_4\)?
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