A radioactive nuclide decays by emitting an alpha particle, a beta particle, and a gamma ray photon, the change in the nucleon number will be:
Correct answer: A. -4
- A. -4
- B. -1
- C. -2
- D. -3
Explanation
An alpha particle is a helium nucleus with two protons and two neutrons which means it has a mass number of 4. (42α)A beta particle is a fast-moving electron. An excess neutron transforms into a proton and an electron.The proton stays in the nucleus and the electron is ejected energetically. Therefore in beta emission, the nucleon number remains the same. (01β)In gamma radiation, no particle is emitted instead there is the emission of radiation hence no change in nucleon number occurs during gamma emission(00γ)Therefore, the change in nucleon number will only be caused by the emission of an alpha particle hence the change will be -4.
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