Question

a barium (ba) isotope undergoes radioactive decay and produces a xenon (xe) atom. which form of decay did the barium isotope undergo?
a. alpha decay, because the atomic number increased by two
b. alpha decay, because the atomic number decreased by two
c. beta decay, because the atomic number increased by two
d. beta decay, because the atomic number decreased by two

Explanation:

Barium (Ba) has an atomic number of 56 and xenon (Xe) has an atomic number of 54. In alpha - decay, the atomic number decreases by 2 and the mass number decreases by 4. In beta - decay, a neutron is converted into a proton and an electron, increasing the atomic number by 1. Since the atomic number of barium decreases by 2 to form xenon, it is alpha - decay.

Answer:

B. alpha decay, because the atomic number decreased by two