in which type of radioactive decay does the nucleus become more stable without changing its identity

Question

beta-plus decay
alpha decay
beta-minus decay
gamma decay

Answer 1

In gamma decay, the nucleus becomes more stable without changing its identity. During this process, a nucleus releases excess energy in the form of gamma radiation, but the number of protons and neutrons (and hence the element) remains unchanged.

In contrast:

• Alpha decay involves the emission of an alpha particle (2 protons and 2 neutrons), resulting in a change of the element.
• Beta-plus decay (or positron emission) changes a proton into a neutron, leading to a change in the element.
• Beta-minus decay involves the conversion of a neutron into a proton, also changing the element.

So, the answer is gamma decay.