how does gamma decay differ from both alpha decay and beta decay?\nno change in mass number occurs.\na…
how does gamma decay differ from both alpha decay and beta decay?\nno change in mass number occurs.\na nucleus becomes more stable.\nno new element forms.\na nucleus releases protons and neutrons.
Answer
Brief Explanations:
Gamma decay involves emission of gamma - rays (high - energy photons) from an excited nucleus. It doesn't change the mass number or atomic number, so no new element is formed. Alpha decay emits an alpha particle (helium nucleus, changes mass and atomic number), and beta decay changes the number of protons and neutrons (changes atomic number). A nucleus becomes more stable in all three decays. The key difference for gamma decay is no change in mass number.
Answer:
No change in mass number occurs.