Question

The nucleons in an atom: 

a. Reduce following beta-positive (b⁺) decay 

b. Are equal to the atomic number 

c. Are equal to the difference between mass number and the number of protons 

d. May have a negative charge 

e. Affect the binding energy of electrons

Answer 1

a. False. Nucleon is a term used to describe protons and neutrons. Beta-positive decay results in the conversion of a proton to a neutron plus an electron. Hence, the number of nucleons is unchanged. 

b. False. The nucleons equal the atomic mass (i.e. protons þ neutrons). 

c. False. The difference between mass number and the number of protons is equal to the number of neutrons. 

d. False. Protons have a positive charge and neutrons have no charge. 

e. True. The number of protons (i.e. atomic number) influences the binding energy.