CAIE A-Level Physics AS 11.1.6 Nucleon Number and Charge Are Conserved in Nuclear Processes Questions

Apply conservation of nucleon number and charge to check nuclear equations, follow decay chains and identify missing particles or products.

Exam points

Identify isotopes as nuclei of the same element with the same proton number but different neutron numbers.
Compare isotope compositions by matching proton numbers and distinguishing their neutron counts.

[Maximum number: 1]

An unstable nucleus of an element decays by emitting an $\alpha$ -particle or a $\beta^{-}$ particle to become a nucleus of a different element. This nucleus is also unstable and emits an $\alpha$ -particle or a $\beta^{-}$ particle. The process continues until an isotope of the original element is produced.

What is the minimum possible number of these particles emitted?

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CAIE A-Level Physics AS 11.1.6 Nucleon Number and Charge Are Conserved in Nuclear Processes Questions question 1