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During gamma emission from an atomic nucleus, what happens to the numbers of protons and neutrons?

1. Only the proton count changes.
2. Both the proton count and the neutron count change.
3. Neither the proton count nor the neutron count changes.
4. Only the neutron count changes.

Correct answer: Neither the proton count nor the neutron count changes.

Solution

Gamma emission involves the release of energy in the form of gamma rays from an excited nucleus, but it does not alter the number of protons or neutrons in the nucleus.

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