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The nucleus ¹²₆C absorbs an energetic neutron and emits a beta particle (β). The resulting nucleus is

Asked in CBSE AIPMT 1990 · Q-value, decay and conservation laws

Answer: (2) ¹³₇N

Step-by-step solution

Take the two steps in turn.

Neutron capture: ¹²₆C+¹₀n→¹³₆C, so the mass number rises by 1 and the atomic number is unchanged.

β⁻ emission then turns a neutron into a proton: the atomic number rises by 1 and the mass number stays put.

Final numbers: A=13 and Z=6+1=7.

Z=7 is nitrogen, so the resulting nucleus is ¹³₇N.

Why the other options are wrong

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