Question detail
What type of radiation is emitted when the mass number decreases by 4 and the atomic number decreases by 2?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Atoms and nuclear radiation
Question
What type of radiation is emitted when the mass number decreases by 4 and the atomic number decreases by 2?
Answer
This type of radiation is alpha radiation, which consists of two protons and two neutrons, effectively reducing the mass number by 4 and the atomic number by 2.
Explanation
This question tests the understanding of nuclear decay processes, specifically alpha decay. It requires knowledge of how changes in atomic and mass numbers relate to the type of radiation emitted.
Common mistake
Confusing Radiation Types
Students often confuse the types of radiation emitted based on changes in mass number and atomic number.
To fix this, students should practice identifying the changes in mass and atomic numbers for each type of radiation (alpha, beta, gamma) and relate them to the corresponding nuclear equations.
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