Chapter 10, Problem 1RCQ

To determine

To find:

The type of radiation that causes the greatest change in the mass number and the atomic number.

Answer to Problem 1RCQ

Solution:

The alpha radiation causes the greatest change in the mass number and the atomic number.

Explanation of Solution

According to the shell model, the alpha particles are helium nuclei $\left({\text{He}}_2^4\right)$, which have a mass number of $4$ and an atomic number of $2$. Whenever the radioactive element emits an alpha particle, the atomic number decreases by $2$ units and the mass number decreases by $4$ units. A beta $\left({\beta }_{-1}^0\right)$ particle is an electron that has no mass number, but it carries an atomic number of $-1$

Whenever the radioactive element emits a beta particle, the atomic number increases by unity and the mass number does not change. The gamma is a neutral particle, and it affects neither the mass number nor the atomic number. Therefore, from the above explanation, it is clear that the alpha radiation causes the greatest change in the mass number and atomic number.