For the radioactive nuclei that undergo either $\alpha$ or $\beta$-decay, which one of the following cannot occur?

Nuclei with higher atomic number than that of the original nucleus

Nuclei with lower atomic number than that of the original nucleus

JEE PHYSICS MCQ: NUCLEI

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Understanding +4 | -1

For the radioactive nuclei that undergo either

\alpha

\beta

-decay, which one of the following cannot occur?

View answer and explanation

Correct option: B

Isotope of original nucleus

Option B is correct because alpha and beta decay change the atomic number, thus an isotope of the original nucleus cannot be formed.