Chapter 20, Problem 38R

To determine

To Infer:The changes in the nucleus in the terms of mass when the nucleus emits only gamma radiation

Answer to Problem 38R

Gamma radiation is the neutral radiation and there is no change in the mass of nucleus during the emission of gamma radiation.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

There are three types of emission- alpha, beta and gamma emission in which gamma particles are electrically neutral, alpha particle have positive charge and beta particle have negative charge. In emission of alpha particle, mass is decreased. In beta decay, mass in not changed as mass of electron is very small and gamma rays are neutral, so there is no change in the mass.

Gamma rays are electrically neutral and there is no change in mass when they are emitted.