A plot of the number of neutrons ( N ) against the number of protons ( P ) of the stable nuclei exhibits upwards deviation from linearity for atomic number, Z > 20 . For an unstable nucleus having N P ratio less than 1 , the possible mode(s) of decay is (are):

Question

A plot of the number of neutrons ( N ) against the number of protons ( P ) of the stable nuclei exhibits upwards deviation from linearity for atomic number, Z &#62; 20 . For an unstable nucleus having N P ratio less than 1 , the possible mode(s) of decay is (are):

Aicharya · Accepted Answer

As N P ratio is less than 1 , for possible decay mode, N P ratio should increase. The possible modes are &#945; -decay, K-capture and &#946; + -decay. Hence, the correct options are 2 and 4 (In &#946; - -decay or neutron decay, N P ratio will decrease further). N P should increase. So, 0 e - 1 + p 1 1 &#10230; n 1 0 [K-electron Capture] p 1 1 &#10230; n 1 0 + &#946; 0 1 [ &#946; + -decay]

A plot of the number of neutrons ( N ) against the number of protons ( P ) of the stable nuclei exhibits…

Solution