Question

What is the only type of radiation that changes the Chemical Identity (the element itself) of the atom? (Hint: Think protons)

a) Alpha
b) Beta
c) Gamma
d) Delta

Answer 1

Alpha radiation (a) is the only type of radiation that changes the Chemical Identity (the element itself) of the atom.

Step-by-step explanation:

The only type of radiation that changes the Chemical Identity (the element itself) of the atom is Alpha radiation (a).

Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons, which make up a helium nucleus. When a radioactive atom emits an alpha particle, the original atom's atomic number decreases by two (loss of protons), and its mass number decreases by four (loss of nuclear particles).

For example, the alpha decay of uranium-238 results in the formation of thorium-234.