In decay terminology, which term describes the element produced as a result of decay?

In decay terminology, which term describes the element produced as a result of decay?

• A. Product
• B. Parent material
• C. Isotope
• D. Daughter material

Answer: (D)

In decay terminology, the element that remains after the original nucleus changes is the daughter. The process starts with the parent nucleus, which decays into this new nuclide, so the produced material is referred to as the daughter (often called the daughter product). The term “parent material” describes what you start with, not what you end up with. An isotope is a specific nuclide of an element, not the general product of a decay, and while a decay can change the element, the standard label for the product is the daughter. So the best answer is daughter material.

In decay terminology, the element that remains after the original nucleus changes is the daughter. The process starts with the parent nucleus, which decays into this new nuclide, so the produced material is referred to as the daughter (often called the daughter product). The term “parent material” describes what you start with, not what you end up with. An isotope is a specific nuclide of an element, not the general product of a decay, and while a decay can change the element, the standard label for the product is the daughter. So the best answer is daughter material.