Question

Which of the following processes result in an increase in the atomic number of nuclides?
A.\[\alpha - \]emission
B.Electron capture
C.\[\gamma - \]emission
D.\[\beta - \]emission

Answer 1

Hint: In the case of \[\alpha - \]emission, there is an emission of an alpha particle and there is a formation of daughter nuclei. In the case of electron capture, there is no change in the number of masses and there is a formation of neutral atoms by simple electron capture. The gamma emission always follows the emission of alpha and beta decay. And a daughter nucleus is produced in the case of beta decay.

Complete answer:
In the case of \[\alpha - \]emission, there is a formation of daughter nuclei. But its atomic number is decreased by two compared to its parent nucleus. Hence, option (A) is incorrect.
The electron capture makes a daughter nuclei and its atomic number is decreased by one more than its parent nuclei. But the neutron number is increased by one and there is no change in the case of mass number. Hence, the option (B) is incorrect.
When the gamma rays are emitted, there is no change in its atomic number and mass number of its daughter nuclei and the nucleus becomes more stable. Hence, option (C) is incorrect.
By the emission of beta decay, there is a result in the formation of the daughter nucleus and its atomic number is increased by one more than its parent nuclei. And there is no difference in the mass number.
Let’s see one example, \[_{83}^{210}Bi \to _{83}^{210}Po + _{ - 1}^0\beta \]
Here, the atomic number of bismuth is increased by one after beta- emission.

Hence, the option (D) is correct.

Note:
We must have to know that the beta emission happens by the presence of too many protons in a nucleus and in that case, one of the neutrons or protons is converted into another. And here, the ratio of neutrons to protons is very high. Therefore, the remaining neutron is converted to an electron and proton. And the beta emission reaction is exothermic due to the formation of some amount of energy.