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A large atom decays and emits a particle. After the reaction is complete, the atom’s mass has changed substantially. What kind of particle has most likely been emitted?
alpha particle
beta particle
positron
photon
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Alpha particle.
An alpha particle is a helium nucleus (2 protons + 2 neutrons) so emission reduces the parent's mass number by 4 — a substantial mass change. Beta particles (electrons) and positrons have negligible mass compared with nucleons, and photons carry energy but essentially no rest mass.
An alpha particle is a helium nucleus (2 protons + 2 neutrons) so emission reduces the parent's mass number by 4 — a substantial mass change. Beta particles (electrons) and positrons have negligible mass compared with nucleons, and photons carry energy but essentially no rest mass.
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