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Question
What changes occurs in the nucleus of radioactive elements when it emits (a) an alpha particle (b) beta particle and (c) gamma radiations? Give one example in each case in support of your answer.
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Solution
The following changes occur when an atom emits
An alpha particle: atomic number decreases by 2 and mass number decreases by 4.
Example: \[\ce{^238_92 U -> ^234_90 Th + ^4_2 He}\]
A beta particle: atomic number increases by one, but mass number does not change.
Example: \[\ce{^14_6 C -> ^14_7 N + ^0_-1 β}\]
Gamma particle: it does not change anything in the nucleus, the energy of the nucleus decreases.
number does not change.
Example: \[\ce{^A_Z X^* -> ^A_Z X + γ}\]
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