Which kind of nuclear decay does not alter the identity of the atom?
fission
beta
alpha
gamma
Gamma decay does not alter the identity of the atom.
The kind of nuclear decay that does not alter the identity of the atom is called gamma decay. Gamma decay occurs when an unstable nucleus releases high-energy photons called gamma rays. Unlike alpha or beta decay, gamma decay does not involve the emission of particles, so the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus remains the same, and thus the identity of the atom is not altered.
To determine the type of nuclear decay that does not alter the identity of the atom, one can remember the characteristics of the different types of nuclear decay processes. Alpha decay involves the emission of an alpha particle (consisting of two protons and two neutrons), which changes the atom's identity by reducing its atomic number by 2 and its mass number by 4. Beta decay involves the emission of a beta particle (either an electron or a positron), which changes the atom's identity by changing a neutron into a proton or vice versa. Fission is a nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits into two lighter nuclei, resulting in the formation of different atoms. Therefore, in all these cases, the identity of the atom is altered.
On the other hand, gamma decay simply involves the release of high-energy photons (gamma rays) without changing the atomic number or mass number of the nucleus. Hence, gamma decay is the type of nuclear decay that does not alter the identity of the atom.