Question Detail

PHY 104 PHY 104 Past Questions Objective Question
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Question

A radioactive nucleus emits an alpha particle. What happens to the proton number (atomic number) of the nucleus?
Options
A It stays the same.
B It increases by 1.
C It decreases by 2.
Correct Answer
D It decreases by 4.
Correct Answer

Option C is the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation

An alpha particle is a helium nucleus (⁴₂He). When a nucleus emits an alpha particle, its atomic number decreases by 2 and its mass number decreases by 4.

Hint

Alpha emission decreases Z by 2.

Question Info

Course: PHY 104
Topic: PHY 104 Past Questions
Type: Objective
Difficulty: Not specified
Question 927 of 947
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