Question

Which of the following is true concerning gamma radiation?

Answer 1

The answer should be D

Answer 2

Answer:  D. Neither the mass number nor the atomic number changes.

Explanation:

1.) Alpha decay: In this process, alpha particles is emitted when a heavier nuclei decays into lighter nuclei. The alpha particle released has a charge of +2 units.  The mass number of the radioisotope decreases by four and the The atomic number of the radioisotope decreases by two.

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

2.)Beta-decay: In this process, a neutron gets converted into a proton and an electron releasing a beta-particle. The beta particle released carries a charge of -1 units.  The mass number remains same but the atomic number decreases by $_Z^A\textrm{X}\rightarrow _{Z+1}^A\textrm{Y}+_{-1}^0\beta$

3.) Gamma ray emission: in this process, an unstable nuclei gives off excess energy by a spontaneous electromagnetic process and releases $\gamma -radiations$. These radiations does not carry any charge and are electrically neutral.

Neither the mass number nor the atomic number changes.

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