Which statement best describes alpha decay?(1 point)

Question

Responses

After the ejection of an alpha particle, the remaining nucleus has a mass number that is four less and an atomic number that is two less, so alpha decay is not a type of nuclear fission.
After the ejection of an alpha particle, the remaining nucleus has a mass number that is four less and an atomic number that is two less, so alpha decay is not a type of nuclear fission.

After the ejection of an alpha particle, the remaining nucleus has a mass number that is four less and an atomic number that is two less, so alpha decay is a type of nuclear fission.
After the ejection of an alpha particle, the remaining nucleus has a mass number that is four less and an atomic number that is two less, so alpha decay is a type of nuclear fission.

After the ejection of an alpha particle, the remaining nucleus has a mass number that is two less and an atomic number that is two less, so alpha decay is not a type of nuclear fission.
After the ejection of an alpha particle, the remaining nucleus has a mass number that is two less and an atomic number that is two less, so alpha decay is not a type of nuclear fission.

After the ejection of an alpha particle, the remaining nucleus has a mass number that is two less and an atomic number that is two less, so alpha decay is a type of nuclear fission.

Answer 1

The statement that best describes alpha decay is:

After the ejection of an alpha particle, the remaining nucleus has a mass number that is four less and an atomic number that is two less, so alpha decay is not a type of nuclear fission.

This is true because alpha decay involves the emission of an alpha particle (which consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons), resulting in a decrease in mass number by 4 and atomic number by 2. Additionally, alpha decay is a different process than nuclear fission, which involves the splitting of a heavy nucleus into smaller parts.