Question

Explain with the help of nuclear reaction in each of the following cases, how the neutron-to-proton ratio changes during (i) alpha decay; (ii) beta decay?

Answer 1

For alpha decay, let us consider a nuclear reaction:

₉₂U²³⁸ → ₂He⁴ + ₉₀Th²³⁴

Initial neutron-proton ratio

= \(\frac{238 - 92}{92} = \frac{146}{92}\) = 1.59

Final neutron-proton ratio

= \(\frac{238 - 90}{90} = \frac{144}{90}\) = 1.57

∴ Neutron-proton ratio decrease during ß-decay.