Which statement best describes the effect of radioactive decay on a nucleus?(1 point)

Question

Responses

The resulting nucleus is more stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus must be of the same element as the original.
The resulting nucleus is more stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus must be of the same element as the original.

The resulting nucleus is less stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus can be of a different element than the original.
The resulting nucleus is less stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus can be of a different element than the original.

The resulting nucleus is more stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus can be of a different element than the original.
The resulting nucleus is more stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus can be of a different element than the original.

The resulting nucleus is less stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus must be of the same element as the original.
The resulting nucleus is less stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus must be of the same element as the original.

Answer 1

The best statement that describes the effect of radioactive decay on a nucleus is:

The resulting nucleus is more stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus can be of a different element than the original.

Radioactive decay typically transforms an unstable nucleus into a more stable configuration, and this process can result in the new nucleus being a different element (as in the case of alpha or beta decay).