A uranium nucleus ( 92 U 235 ) undergoes an alpha emission followed by 2 beta emissions.

ICSE Class 10 Physics PYQ · 2026 Improvement · Section A

3(vi)1 Mark · 2026 · Section A · 2026 Improvement

A uranium nucleus (92U235) undergoes an alpha emission followed by 2 beta emissions.

Calculate the atomic number and mass number of the daughter nucleus formed.

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Given,

  • Atomic number of uranium (Z) = 92
  • Mass number of uranium (A) = 235

On emission of one α-particle — the atomic number decreases by 2 and the mass number decreases by 4.

Atomic number = 92 - 2 = 90

Mass number = 235 - 4 = 231

On emission of two β-particles — the atomic number increases by 1 for each β-particle and the mass number remains unchanged.

So, for emission of two β-particles:

Atomic number = 90 + 2 = 92

Mass number = 231

Hence, the daughter nucleus has atomic number 92 and mass number 231.

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