which of the following are true statements? beta & alpha particles?

Question

Based on the readings in your text, which of the following are true statements ?



a) beta-particle emission increases the mass number of the
parent nucleus by one unit


b) During beta-particle emission from a nucleus, a neutron is converted
to a proton


c) In the nuclear process known as electron capture, the atomic number remains constant
&nbps while the mass number decreases by one unit


d) Alpha radiation is by far the most harmful type of radiation to living tissue


e) Based on the number of protons and neutrons, we would expect sodium-23 to be an unstable isotope

Answer 1

The only completely true statement is B

D is partially correct -- it depends on the location of the contamination. On the outside of the body, alpha particles are pretty much harmless -- they are stopped by the dead layers of your skin. INSIDE the body, however, alpha particles are devastating. So your answer here will depend on the context of your readings.

A is incorrect because a beta emission changes a neutron to a proton, thus increasing the atomic number by one, but leaving the atomic mass unchanged.

C is incorrect because electron capture is the reverse of a beta emission, so a proton is changed to a neutron. Atomic number decreases by one, but the mass remains the same.

E is incorrect, since in sodium 23 you have 11 protons and 12 neutrons -- that nearly even balance should be stable. In fact, Sodium 23 is the most common and stable isotope.

Answer 2

b!