During transmutation...?

Question

A. the number of protons always increases

B. the number of protons always decreases

C. the number of neutrons always increases

D. the number of neutrons always decreases

Please Help!

Answer 1

I think that the answer is 'B', the number of protons always decreases.

It took me a while to figure this one out. Transmutation is the result when an element is transformed into another element. Radioactive isotopes do this naturally by emitting an alpha particle (two protons and two neutrons). But since the theory of transmutation describes the change of one element into another, it is the atomic number and not the atomic weight that is the most important factor. This is why I chose answer 'B'...