Which term describes the element formed as a result of radioactive decay?

Which term describes the element formed as a result of radioactive decay?

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

Answer: (D)

In radioactive decay, the original nucleus is called the parent, and the nucleus produced by the decay is the daughter. The term daughter material (or daughter nuclide) specifically names the new element formed as a result of the decay process. It reflects the relationship that the daughter comes from the parent through decay, often with emission of radiation. Why the others don’t fit as well: the starting material is the parent, not the product, so “parent material” describes what you started with. An isotope is a variant of an element with a different neutron count, not the product of a decay event. And “product” is too generic and doesn’t specify the close relationship to the original parent.

In radioactive decay, the original nucleus is called the parent, and the nucleus produced by the decay is the daughter. The term daughter material (or daughter nuclide) specifically names the new element formed as a result of the decay process. It reflects the relationship that the daughter comes from the parent through decay, often with emission of radiation.

Why the others don’t fit as well: the starting material is the parent, not the product, so “parent material” describes what you started with. An isotope is a variant of an element with a different neutron count, not the product of a decay event. And “product” is too generic and doesn’t specify the close relationship to the original parent.