Author Question: List three types of radioactive decay. For each type, describe how the atomic number and the atomic ... (Read 994 times)

Destiiny22 · **on:** Jul 14, 2018

List three types of radioactive decay. For each type, describe how the atomic number and the atomic mass change.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Strong pressure gradients are associated with uniformly cold temperatures.

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Sassygurl126 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 14, 2018

Answer to Question 1

a. Alpha decay (2 protons and 2 neutrons) means an alpha particle is emitted from the nucleus, resulting in the mass number being reduced by 4 and the atomic number being decreased by 2.
b. Beta decay (an electron) is given off from a nucleus, the mass number remains unchanged; however, because the electron has come from a neutron, the nucleus contains 1 more proton than before. Therefore, the atomic number increases by 1.
c. Electron capture by the nucleus results in a proton converting to a neutron. In this scenario, the mass number remains unchanged, and the atomic number decreases by 1.

Answer to Question 2

FALSE