Question

When a nucleus in an atom undergoes a radioactive decay, the electronic energy levels of the atom:

• A. Do not change for any type of radioactivity
• B. Change for $\alpha$ and $\beta$ -radioactivity but not for $\gamma$ -radioactivity
• C. Change for $\alpha$ -radioactivity but not for others
• D. Change for $\beta$ -radioactivity but not for others

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

$\beta$ -particle carries one unit of negative charge and $\alpha$ -particle carries $2$ units of positive charge and $\gamma$ -photon carries no charge, therefore electronic energy levels of the atom changes for $\alpha$ and $\beta$ decay, but not for $\gamma$ -decay.