A computer model produces five nuclear events. Each event involves a different one of alpha, beta minus, beta plus, gamma or neutron radiation.
| event | parent mass number | parent atomic number | daughter mass number | daughter atomic number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | 216 | 86 | 212 | 84 |
| K | 137 | 55 | 137 | 56 |
| L | 30 | 15 | 30 | 14 |
| M | 99 | 43 | 99 | 43 |
| N | 13 | 4 | 12 | 4 |
In event M, the daughter nucleus has less energy than the parent nucleus.
A student states, ‘Knowing only whether the daughter is a different element is enough to identify the radiation emitted.’
Explain whether the student's statement is correct.
In your answer, identify the radiation emitted in each event and link your choices to what happens to the particles in the nucleus.
120 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Physics 6.3 Nuclear equations and decay, covering 6.3.1 Beta-minus and beta-plus decay, 6.3.2 Effects of decay on the nucleus, and 6.3.3 Balancing nuclear equations. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.