Question

When the nucleus of an electrically neutral atom undergoes a radioactive decay process, it will remain neutral after the decay if the process is

• A. an $\alpha$ decay
• B. a ${\beta }^{-}$ decay
• C. a $\gamma$ decay
• D. a $K$ -capture process

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

a $\gamma$ decay

In alpha decay, mass number and the atomic number of the nucleus reduces by $4$ and $2$ respectively.

Whereas in beta decay, the mass number remains unchanged but the atomic number is increased by $1$ and in gamma decay, no change of mass number and atomic number so nuclei remain neutral. In $K-$capture, a proton is changed into a neutron, thereby reducing the atomic number by $1$.