In gamma ray emission from a nucleus
- (A)both the neutron number and the proton number change
- (B)there is no change in the proton number and the neutron number✓ Correct
- (C)only the neutron number changes
- (D)only the proton number changes
Answer: (B)
Solution
Gamma emission is a transition between energy levels of one and the same nucleus, which simply sheds surplus energy as a photon. No nucleon is created or destroyed in the process, so both the proton number and the neutron number are left exactly as they were.
JEE Main · 2007 · 29 Apr 2007 · Offline · Single correct option