Chapter 19, Problem 78AP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

To fill in the blanks:

When a nucleus undergoes......., the mass number of the nucleus decreases by four units.

Concept Introduction:

The unstable nuclei are called parent nuclei that forms the daughter nuclei either by combination or by decomposition of the nuclei. The radioactive decay is the conversion of the unstable nuclei to the stable nuclei with some other by product like alpha, beta and gamma particles. When they are formed by combination, the process is known as fusion and when they are formed by decomposition, the process is known as fission. The beta particles increase the atomic number of an atom by 1 and no change in the mass of an atom. While alpha particles decrease the mass number by 4 and atomic number by 2.