When a neutron is emitted from an unstable nucleus, the atomic mass number of the nucleus
A) does not change.
B) decreases by 2.
C) increases by 2.
D) increases by 1.
E) decreases by 1.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a neutron is emitted from an unstable nucleus, the atomic mass number decreases by 1 because the nucleus loses one neutron, and the atomic mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

When a Neutron Is Emitted from an Unstable Nucleus, the Atomic