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Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion

Question 3 • Foothill-B Period-Chemistry-26/27B

The atomic number decreases by two, and the atomic mass decreases by four.

Answer
A
alpha decay
B
beta-plus decay
C
beta-minus decay

Explanation

In alpha decay, the nucleus emits an alpha particle containing two protons and two neutrons. Losing two protons lowers the atomic number by 2, and losing four nucleons lowers the atomic mass by 4, so the correct choice is alpha decay.

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