a sample consisting of pentane and toluene was injected into a gas chromatograph equipped with a non-polar column. which compound has shorter retention times?

it can be observed without changing the identity of the object.

it depends on what substance you're talking about as well as many other factors. in quantum mechanics, the observation of particles affects the observers ability to measure certain properties. for example: you can know the velocity of a particle, but you can't know it's position; or you can know it's position, but not it's velocity. it's like trying to find out where a grain of sand is by throwing other grains of sand at it. once you find out where it is, it's been moved. it's also like trying to find an answer to the question of whether or not a tree falling in a forest makes a sound if nobody is there to hear it. paradoxically, the only way to find out is to be there and hear it.

i think it's letter a.

considering the question as per the attachment

here we can see that the radon nuclide has 222 as the atomic mass number and 86 as the atomic number.

when it undergoes nuclear fission it gives polonium which has atomic mass number as 218 and atomic number will be 84 along with a helium nucleus which has 4 atomic mass number and 2 as its atomic number.

222 = 218 + 4 (atomic mass number)

86 = ? + 2; therefore ? = 86-2 = 84.

the atomic mass number of polonium will be 84.