Question

In gamma ray emission from a nucleus

• A. both the neutron number and the proton number change
• B. there is no change in the proton number and the neutron number
• C. only the neutron number changes
• D. only the proton number changes

Answer 1

The correct option is B there is no change in the proton number and the neutron number

In gamma decay, a nucleus changes from a higher energy state to a lower energy state through the emission of electromagnetic radiation(photons). The number of protons (and neutrons) in the nucleus does not change in this process, so the parent and daughter atoms are the same chemical element. In the gamma decay of a nucleus, the emitted photon and recoiling nucleus each have a well-defined energy after the decay. The characteristic energy is divided between only two particles.