Asked by dallasboy
How does gamma decay differ from both alpha decay and beta decay?
No change in mass number occurs.
A nucleus becomes more stable.
No new element forms.
A nucleus releases protons and neutrons.
All Answers 1
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
AI
"No new element forms."
Explanation: Gamma decay emits a high-energy photon from an excited nucleus, so neither the atomic number (Z) nor the mass number (A) changes. Alpha and beta decays change Z (and alpha also changes A), so they produce a different element. Gamma decay thus changes only the nucleus' energy (making it more stable), not its identity.
Explanation: Gamma decay emits a high-energy photon from an excited nucleus, so neither the atomic number (Z) nor the mass number (A) changes. Alpha and beta decays change Z (and alpha also changes A), so they produce a different element. Gamma decay thus changes only the nucleus' energy (making it more stable), not its identity.
Submit Your Answer
We prioritize human answers over AI answers.
If you are human, and you can answer this question, please submit your answer.