Answer: Beta decay (along with electron/positron).
- A Alpha decay, which emits mainly a helium-4 nucleus
- B Gamma decay, which emits mainly a high-energy photon
- C Beta decay (along with electron/positron)
- D Fission mainly, and rarely in any other type of nuclear decay
Correct answer: C. Beta decay (along with electron/positron)
Explanation: Beta decay: nucleus emits electron + antineutrino (beta-minus) or positron + neutrino (beta-plus). Neutrino carries away some energy.
Binding energy per nucleon rises sharply for light nuclei, peaks around iron-56 (the most stable nucleus), then slowly declines for heavier nuclei - which is exactly why fusing light nuclei or splitting heavy nuclei both release energy: each moves the products toward this stability peak.
Concept context
Radioactivity, nuclear reactions, fission, fusion, and binding energy.