Question

Which types of radioactive decay cause the parent nucleus to become a different element or isotope (and thus are useful for radioactive dating)? Group of answer choices Alpha decay Beta decay Gamma decay Both alpha and beta decay Both beta and gamma decay All three: alpha, beta, and gamma decay

Answer 1

Answer: alpha decay and beta decay cause the parent nucleus to become a different element.

Explanation:

Alpha decay : It is a radioactive decay in which nucleus emits an alpha particle and turns into different atomic nucleus. During alpha decay, an atom loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

$_Z^A\textrm{X}\rightarrow _{Z-2}^{A-4}\textrm{Y}+_2^4\alpha$

Beta decay is defined as the process in which beta particle is emitted. In this process, a neutron gets converted to a proton and an electron.Thus a different element is produced.

$_Z^A\textrm{X}\rightarrow _{Z+1}^A\textrm{Y}+_{-1}^0\beta$

Gamma decay : In this process, the unstable nuclei transformed into stable nuclei by releasing gamma rays along with beta or alpha decay.The same element is produced.

$_Z^A\textrm{X}^*\rightarrow _Z^A\textrm{X}+_0^0\gamma$