If a nucleus emits an alpha particle, its mass number decreases by 4 while the charge number decreases by:
Correct answer: C. 2
- A. -4
- B. 4
- C. 2
- D. 1
Explanation
When a nucleus emits an alpha particle, these changes happen: the mass number decreases by 4, the atomic number decreases by 2, and the nuclear charge decreases by 2. An alpha particle has essentially the same structure as a Helium atom.
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