Which of the following is emitted in a process of natural radioactivity?
Answer Details
Among the given options, natural radioactivity emits two types of particles: alpha particles and beta particles.
Alpha particles are made up of two protons and two neutrons and are essentially helium nuclei. When an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, it loses two protons and two neutrons, decreasing its atomic number by two and its atomic mass by four.
Beta particles, on the other hand, are high-energy electrons or positrons emitted by a nucleus. Beta decay occurs when a neutron in an unstable nucleus is converted into a proton, and an electron or a positron is emitted.
X-rays and lambda rays (gamma rays) are not emitted in natural radioactivity. X-rays are usually produced artificially, while gamma rays are often produced during nuclear reactions or decay processes.