Which statement best describes the process of alpha decay?(1 point)

Responses

An unstable nucleus releases a single positively charged particle.
An unstable nucleus releases a single positively charged particle.

An unstable nucleus releases a particle containing two protons and two neutrons.
An unstable nucleus releases a particle containing two protons and two neutrons.

An unstable nucleus releases an electron.
An unstable nucleus releases an electron.

An unstable nucleus rearranges its particles and releases energy.

1 answer

The statement that best describes the process of alpha decay is:

An unstable nucleus releases a particle containing two protons and two neutrons.

In alpha decay, the nucleus emits an alpha particle, which is composed of two protons and two neutrons (identical to a helium nucleus).