What happens to the atomic and mass numbers during gamma decay?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the changes that occur to atomic and mass numbers during gamma decay, specifically how they are affected in the process.
Answer
No change in atomic or mass number during gamma decay.
During gamma decay, there is no change in the atomic number or the mass number of the atom. Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation and their emission does not alter the composition of the nucleus.
Answer for screen readers
During gamma decay, there is no change in the atomic number or the mass number of the atom. Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation and their emission does not alter the composition of the nucleus.
More Information
Gamma decay involves the emission of gamma rays, which are high-energy photons. Unlike alpha or beta decay, gamma decay doesn't change the structure of the nucleus, only the energy state. It often follows alpha or beta decay to release excess energy from the nucleus.
Sources
- Gamma decay - Energy Education - energyeducation.ca
- How does gamma decay change the nucleus? - Socratic - socratic.org
- Gamma Radiation - Nondestructive Evaluation Physics : X-Ray - nde-ed.org
