The atom that remains after a nucleus disintegrates is __ ?

Question

A) larger than the original atom and radioactive

B) smaller than the original atom and not radioactive

C) larger than the original atom and possibly radioactive

D) smaller than the original atom and possibly radioactive

E) larger than the original atom and not radioactive

Answer 1

D) If a nucleus disintegrates, something is lost, so the atom is in some way smaller (lower mass, either due to loss of particles or loss of energy). The remainder may be radioactive, but it can also be stable. If the disintegration is due to natural radioactive decay, the final state (which takes an infinite time to reach) is stable. If the disintegration is caused by external means (atomic bombardment), the result is likely to be an unstable atom.

Answer 2

answer is D.
this is because a radioactive element usually decays to another atom which is relatively more stable this nucleus may or mat not be radioactive if it is radioactive it disintergrates again.