Quick Decay Question

[Andrew324]

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An Atoms atomic mass increases by one as it emits a particle. This type of nuclear reaction is an example of...

A) alpha decay
B) Beta- decay
C) Beta + decay
D) fusion
E) gamma decay

Note it says the atomic mass increases

 

[harrygt]

An Atoms atomic mass increases by one as it emits a particle. This type of nuclear reaction is an example of...

A) alpha decay
B) Beta- decay
C) Beta + decay
D) fusion
E) gamma decay

Note it says the atomic mass increases

fusion would be the only way to get this outcome.

 

[DRHOYA]

I'll take a wack at this one. It can't be gamma, b/c gamma has no effect on either atomic number or mass. Alpha, decreases atomic number by 2, and mass by 4....so it can't be alpha. Beta (-) increases the atomic number by 1, and beta (+) decreases by 1. I'm confused now.......is the answer fusion?? That is all I know about decays at this moment. Is their something wrong with the question.....how can you have atomic mass decrease by 1..and nothing else?? Anyone else.

 

[drgreen]

Yeah, either it doesn't emit a particle and it's fusion, or it the atomic number increases and it's beta- decay.

 

[Andrew324]

Yeah its a kaplan question, #9 on General Chemistry Midterm, I think Dr. Green is correct. They miswrote the question. Its hard to believe though that im the only one who has posted this on the boards. I did a search and didnt see it.

They said it was beta decay, but thats only right if they mean number instead of mass.

 

[DRHOYA]

Yeah its a kaplan question, #9 on General Chemistry Midterm, I think Dr. Green is correct. They miswrote the question. Its hard to believe though that im the only one who has posted this on the boards. I did a search and didnt see it.

They said it was beta decay, but thats only right if they mean number instead of mass.

Cool man, thanks for sharing. Yup, if the answer is beta, then they must have made an error, and meant to say atomic number.

 

[Andrew324]

Here is Kaplans Response

"You are correct in your assessment of the atomic number increasing by
one. However, remember that an increase of an atomic number means that
a proton was added. A proton has an atomic mass of one. Therefore,
BOTH the atomic number and the atomic mass increase by one. So, the
question is correct."

 

[Contach]

Here is Kaplans Response

"You are correct in your assessment of the atomic number increasing by
one. However, remember that an increase of an atomic number means that a proton was added. A proton has an atomic mass of one. Therefore,
BOTH the atomic number and the atomic mass increase by one. So, the
question is correct."

Reply back with: You are Dumb. So the question is not correct.

(The capital D just to make sure they don't misread that like they did the question)

B- decay is a neutron --> proton + electron. Since the proton is coming from a neutron, the atomic mass does not change. It's essentially 1amu --> 1amu + insignificant mass.

We were originally correct in saying that B- decay should be correlated with emitting a particle and an increase in atomic number.

 

[Andrew324]

I know, they are noobs. I thought I did a good job at explaining the problem too. But you guys can see if its on yours as well.

kaplan question, #9 on General Chemistry Midterm

 

[klutzy1987]

Here is Kaplans Response

"You are correct in your assessment of the atomic number increasing by
one. However, remember that an increase of an atomic number means that
a proton was added. A proton has an atomic mass of one. Therefore,
BOTH the atomic number and the atomic mass increase by one. So, the
question is correct."

Kaplans never ceases to amaze me with their incredibly stupid mistakes and material. WOW just goes to show you how much kaplans is worth.