Which statement best describes the effect of radioactive decay on a nucleus?(1 point)
Responses
The resulting nucleus is less stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus can be of a different element than the original.
The resulting nucleus is less stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus can be of a different element than the original.
The resulting nucleus is more stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus must be of the same element as the original.
The resulting nucleus is more stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus must be of the same element as the original.
The resulting nucleus is more stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus can be of a different element than the original.
The resulting nucleus is more stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus can be of a different element than the original.
The resulting nucleus is less stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus must be of the same element as the original.
The resulting nucleus is less stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus can be of a different element than the original.
The correct statement is:
The resulting nucleus is less stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus can be of a different element than the original.
The correct statement is: The resulting nucleus is less stable than the original nucleus. The nucleus can be of a different element than the original.
To understand this, we need to know what radioactive decay is. Radioactive decay is a process in which the nucleus of an unstable atom undergoes spontaneous changes, releasing energy in the form of radiation. During radioactive decay, the original nucleus transforms into a different nucleus, which may or may not be of the same element.
The fact that the resulting nucleus is less stable than the original nucleus is due to the imbalance of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Unstable nuclei have an excess of either protons or neutrons, which makes them more likely to undergo radioactive decay in order to achieve greater stability. This process can result in the emission of various types of radiation, such as alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays.
Additionally, the resulting nucleus can be of a different element than the original because the number of protons determines the element. During radioactive decay, if the number of protons changes, the identity of the element changes as well.
Therefore, the statement that best describes the effect of radioactive decay on a nucleus is: The resulting nucleus is less stable than the original nucleus, and the nucleus can be of a different element than the original.