During alpha decay, what does a nucleus emit?
ATwo protons and two neutrons together
BA single high-energy electron particle
CA photon with no mass or charge
DA single free neutron particle
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Two protons and two neutrons together
1. Alpha decay happens when a nucleus has too many protons relative to its neutrons for a stable balance of forces.
2. The nucleus ejects two protons and two neutrons together, which is a helium nucleus.
3. A single electron is emitted during beta decay, not alpha decay.
4. A photon with no mass or charge describes gamma decay, and a single free neutron is not what alpha decay ejects.
5. So two protons and two neutrons as a helium nucleus is correct.
_Source: OpenStax Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 22 "The Atom", section 22.2 Nuclear Forces and Radioactivity_
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