Moderate

An atom emits some radiation such that daughter nucleus is isotope of parent nucleus, the emitted radiation is:

Correct answer: D. 1 α and 2 β

  • A. α
  • B. γ
  • C. β
  • D. 1 α and 2 β

Explanation

The explanation is given below: When an atom emits radiation, and the daughter nucleus is an isotope of the parent nucleus, this typically indicates a process of gamma decay (γ). Gamma decay is the emission of high-energy gamma rays, which are electromagnetic radiation, from an atomic nucleus. Unlike alpha and beta decay, which result in changes to the atomic and mass numbers of the nucleus, gamma decay does not change the composition of the nucleus. In gamma decay, the daughter nucleus remains the same element as the parent nucleus, and both the atomic number (Z) and mass number (A) remain unchanged. The emitted gamma rays carry away excess energy from the excited nucleus, allowing it to transition to a lower energy state while remaining the same isotope of the parent nucleus. So, when the daughter nucleus is an isotope of the parent nucleus and there is no change in Z or A, the emitted radiation is gamma (γ) radiation.

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About Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decay is the spontaneous transformation of unstable nuclei, described by decay constant, activity, half life and the exponential decay law. Work includes alpha, beta and gamma emissions, decay equations and remaining nuclei, with half life distinguished from the time required for complete decay.

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