Question

When a nucleus with atomic number $Z$ and mass number $A$ undergoes a radioactive decay process :

• A. Both $Z$ and $A$ will decrease, if the process is $\alpha$ decay
• B. $Z$ will decrease but $A$ will not change, if the process is $\beta^{+}$ decay
• C. $Z$ will increase but $A$ will not change, if the process is $\beta^{-}$ decay
• D. $Z$ and $A$ will remain unchanged, if the process is $\gamma$ decay

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C), (D)

In $\alpha$-decay nuclear charge decreases by a factor of $2$ and mass decreases by a factor of $4$ and in $\beta$-decay no effect is there on the mass of nucleus but charge increases or decreases by a factor of $1$ and in case of $\gamma$-decay no change will be there on charge or mass.