Asked in ETEA MDCAT 2011 2011Moderate

When a radioactive atom decays and its mass number decreases by 4 and charge number decreases by 2, the atom will emit

Correct answer: A. Alpha radiation

  • A. Alpha radiation
  • B. Beta radiation
  • C. Gamma radiation
  • D. X radiation

Explanation

Alpha radiations are doubly positively charged helium nuclei. When such radiation is emitted from a radioactive element, its mass number decreases by 4 and its atomic number decreases by 2.

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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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