Ascientist notices that a lump of niobium is warm to the touch and wonders if nuclear reactions are taking place in the metal. how can she find out?
measure the metal’s temperature.
check for the presence of alpha, beta, and gamma particles.
look for the presence of niobium compounds.
place the niobium in a pressurized container, and see if the lump becomes warmer.

Answer is: Check for the presence of alpha, beta, and gamma particles.

1) Alpha particle is nucleus of a helium-4 atom, which is made of two protons and two neutrons.

Alpha decay is radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (helium nucleus) and transforms into an atom with an atomic number that is reduced by two and mass number that is reduced by four.

2) Beta decay is radioactive decay in which a beta ray and a neutrino are emitted from an atomic nucleus.

There are two types of beta decay: beta minus and beta plus.

3) During gamma emission the nucleus emits radiation without changing its composition.