Question

Which form of emission is commonly not written in nuclear equations because they do not affect charges, atomic numbers, or mass numbers?

a. alpha particle
b. beta particle
c. gamma ray

Answer 1

Answer: c. gamma ray

Explanation: There are various process in which a radioactive nuclei decays:

1) Alpha Decay: In this process, a heavier nuclei decays into lighter nuclei by releasing alpha particle. The mass number is reduced by 4 units.

`_A^Z\textrm{X}\rightarrow _(A-2)^(Z-4)+_2^4\alpha`

A= mass number

Z= atomic number

2) Beta particle: It is a type of decay process, in which a proton gets converted to neutron and an electron neutrino. This is also known as
`\beta ^+`-decay. In this the mass number remains same.

`_A^Z\textrm{X}\rightarrow _(Z-1)^A\textrm{Y}+_(+1)^0e`

3) Gamma ray emission: It is a decay process in which an unstable nuclei gives excess energy by a spontaneous electromagnetic process. This decay releases
`\gamma -radiations`. This process does not change the mass number.

`_A^Z\textrm{X}^*\rightarrow _A^Z\textrm{X}+_0^0\gamma`

Answer 2

The form of emission that is commonly not written in nuclear equations because they do not affect charges, atomic numbers, or mass numbers is the gamma ray.

Gamma rays have no electrical charge nor atomic mass. It is only used to balance in a nuclear reaction, but gamma ray is considered powerful.

So, letter C. is the answer.
Hope this helps!