When a nucleus in an atom undergoes a radioactive decay, the electronic energy levels of the atom:
1. | do not change for any type of radioactivity |
2. | change for α and β -radioactivity but not for γ -radioactivity |
3. | change for α -radioactivity but not for others |
4. | change for β -radioactivity but not for others |
Tritium is an isotope of hydrogen whose nucleus triton contains 2 neutrons and 1 proton. Free neutrons decay into . If one of the neutrons in Triton decays, it would transform into He3 nucleus. This does not happen. This is because;
1. | triton energy is less than that of a He3 nucleus |
2. | the electron created in the beta decay process cannot remain in the nucleus |
3. | both the neutrons in Triton have to decay simultaneously resulting in a nucleus with 3 protons, which is not a He3 nucleus. |
4. | free neutrons decay due to external perturbations which is absent in Triton nucleus |