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MHT CET 2026 (12 May, Shift 1) · Radioactive Decays: Alpha, Beta, Gamma

Radioactive Decays: Alpha, Beta, Gamma question from MHT CET 2026 (12 May, Shift 1)

Q2MHT CET 2026 · 12 MAY · SHIFT 1Difficult

Radioactive Decays: Alpha, Beta, Gamma

In transition 'a', three α\alpha particles and two β\beta particles are emitted in succession from the element 86X226{}_{86}X^{226}. In transition 'b', two gamma rays, one β\beta particle and two α\alpha particles are emitted in succession from element 96Y236{}_{96}Y^{236}. The atomic number and the mass number of the new elements formed respectively are

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Answer: (c)

  1. Each α\alpha: Z→Z−2Z \to Z-2, A→A−4A \to A-4. Each β−\beta^-: Z→Z+1Z \to Z+1, AA unchanged. γ\gamma changes nothing.
  2. Transition a: 3α3\alpha from 86X226{}_{86}X^{226} gives Z=86−6=80Z = 86-6 = 80, A=226−12=214A = 226-12 = 214; then 2β2\beta gives Z=82Z = 82, A=214A = 214.
  3. Transition b: 2α2\alpha from 96Y236{}_{96}Y^{236} gives Z=92Z = 92, A=228A = 228; 1β1\beta gives Z=93Z = 93; the 2 gamma rays change nothing.
  4. So the answer is (c): (82, 214) and (93, 228).
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