Many radioactive atoms that have large masses undergo radioactive decay by releasing a particle that is identical to a helium-4 nucleus.

what changes in the original atom are expected as a result of this natural phenomenon?

a. the atomic number and the mass number will decrease.

b. the atomic number and the mass number will increase.

c. the atomic number will increase, and the mass number will decrease.

d. the atomic number will decrease, and the mass number will increase.

A. The atomic number and the mass number will decrease.

Explanation:

Alpha decay : When a larger nuclei decays into smaller nuclei by releasing alpha particle. In this process, the atomic number and mass number is decreased by 2 and 4 units respectively.

General representation of an element is given as:  

where,

Z represents Atomic number

A represents Mass number

X represents the symbol of an element

General representation of alpha decay :

atomic number of carbon is 6

electronic configuration of carbon is 1s²2s²2p²

orbital diagram of carbon is as shown here in the image.

< > according to newton's third law of motion, forces always act in equal but opposite pairs. another way of saying this is for every action, there is an equal but opposite reaction.< >