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Beta- decay involves changing a neutron into a proton, so, beta- decay would increase the number of protons by 1.

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12y ago
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5mo ago

The total number of nucleons remains the same during beta decay. A neutron is converted into a proton and an electron (beta particle), so the total number of nucleons (protons + neutrons) stays constant.

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11y ago

Remains the same

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Q: What happens to the total number of nucleons during beta decay?
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Related questions

Does the total number of nucleons in the nucleus of the atom ever increase during the decay chain?

No, the total number of nucleons in the nucleus remains constant during a decay chain. The total number of protons and neutrons may change as individual particles are emitted during decay, but the overall number of nucleons (protons and neutrons combined) remains the same within a closed system.


When an atom emits a beta particle the number of nucleons?

When an atom emits a beta particle, the number of nucleons remains the same. However, the number of protons in the nucleus increases by one, as a neutron is converted into a proton during beta decay.


What is the source of the alpha decay?

Alpha decay is a nuclear process where a 4He nucleus is spontaneously emitted to reduce energy and lower the initial isotopes total number of nucleons.


Radioactive decay does not involve electrons?

Actually there is a mode of radioactive decay which involves an atomic electron. It is called electron capture and results in the atomic number Z decreasing by 1 and the mass number A remaining the same. This happens in nuclei which have a deficiency of neutrons. No ion is formed, but a K or L x-ray can be emitted in addition to a neutrino and possible gamma rays.


Is neutron number conserved in radioactive decay?

Neutron number is not conserved in radioactive decay processes. During beta decay, a neutron may convert into a proton, an electron (beta particle), and an antineutrino. This results in a change in neutron number.


How many nucleons are there in Carbon?

Any atom has only one nucleus in it. The difference is always in the number of nucleons. Nucleons are the fundamental particles of an atom that constitute the nucleus. Protons and neutrons are the primary nucleons. The number of protons is always different for different elements. For e.g., the number of protons in a carbon atom is 6


What is necessary for you to be able to explain what happens during radioactive decay?

To fully explain radioactive decay you need quantum mechanics.


What happens to radioactive isotopes during radioactive decay?

That depends on the specific radioisotope. For instance, uranium 238 emits an alpha particle during radioactive decay, reducing the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus by 2 each and producing thorium 234. On the other hand, carbon 14 emits a beta particle (an electron) during radioactive decay, decreasing the number of neutrons and increasing the number of protons by 1 each and producing nitrogen 14. There are quite a few other examples with different changes depending on the type of radioactive decay.


What happens to an isotope during radioactive?

That depends on the specific radioisotope. For instance, uranium 238 emits an alpha particle during radioactive decay, reducing the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus by 2 each and producing thorium 234. On the other hand, carbon 14 emits a beta particle (an electron) during radioactive decay, decreasing the number of neutrons and increasing the number of protons by 1 each and producing nitrogen 14. There are quite a few other examples with different changes depending on the type of radioactive decay.


What happens to the atomic number of an atom undergoing alpha decay?

The atomic number of an atom undergoing alpha decay decreases by 2. Not asked, but answered for completeness, the atomic mass number decreases by 4.


What happens during radioactive decay apex?

An unstable nucleus loses particles until it becomes stable.


What happens to the mass and atomic number when there is an alpha decay?

The mass decreases by 4 units and the atomic number by two units.