When an alpha particle is emitted from a radioactive nucleus, the atomic number of the daughter nucleus
Aincreases by 4
Bdecreases by 4
Cincreases by 2
Ddecreases by 2CORRECT
GCEPhysicsAtomic and Nuclear Physics2022
AI
Toaster Teacher
Why the answer is D, and why the others tempt you.
An alpha particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons ($^{4}_{2}He$). When it is emitted, the parent nucleus loses 2 protons, so the atomic number (proton number) decreases by 2. The mass number decreases by 4.
Want this in Pidgin, Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa? Sign up free →
Practice more Physics questions
GCE Physics has thousands more questions like this — with Worked answers on every one.