If a radioactive atom emits a beta particle, Its mass number
Question 1 Report
If a radioactive atom emits a beta particle, Its mass number
Answer Details
When a radioactive atom emits a beta particle, a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton and an electron. The electron is emitted as a beta particle, while the proton remains in the nucleus. Therefore, the atomic number increases by one, as the nucleus now has one more proton. The mass number, which is the sum of the protons and neutrons in the nucleus, remains the same, since the neutron is converted into a proton, and the mass of a proton is approximately equal to that of a neutron. So, the correct answer is: "remains the same".
Download The App On Google Playstore
Everything you need to excel in your exams
Personalized AI Learning Chat Assistant
200,000+ Exam Questions Across IGCSE, JAMB, WAEC & NECO
Over 3,900 Lesson Notes
Offline Support - Learn Anytime, Anywhere
Green Bridge Timetable
Literature Summaries & Potential Questions
Track Your Performance & Progress
In-depth Explanations for Comprehensive Learning