The original nucleus and the final nucleus will be different isotopes of the same element for which decay scheme of the original nucleus?
A)alpha decay followed by two beta (electron)decays
B)two gamma decays
C)a beta (electron)decay followed by an alpha decay
D)a beta (electron)decay followed by neutron emission

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In alpha decay, the original nucleus loses two protons and two neutrons, changing its atomic number and mass, but in subsequent beta decays, the atomic number increases by one for each beta decay, returning to the original element's atomic number but with a different mass number, thus forming different isotopes of the same element.

The Original Nucleus and the Final Nucleus Will Be Different