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.
When a beta particle is emitted, the mass number of the nucleus remains the same. The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, and beta decay involves the transformation of a neutron into a proton, which does not affect the total number of nucleons in the nucleus.
The alpha decay of actinium-225 can be represented by the equation: [^{225}{\ 89}\text{Ac} \rightarrow \ ^{221}{\ 87}\text{Fr} + \ ^{4}_{\ 2}\text{He}] In this decay process, actinium-225 decays into francium-221 by emitting an alpha particle (helium-4 nucleus).
The atomic number increases by one during beta-minus decay, as a neutron is converted into a proton, releasing an electron and an antineutrino.
Alpha decay decreases the atomic mass of an atom by 4 units and the atomic number by 2 units. This is because an alpha particle, which consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, is emitted during the decay process.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
To fully explain radioactive decay you need quantum mechanics.
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.
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.
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.
An unstable nucleus loses particles until it becomes stable.
The mass decreases by 4 units and the atomic number by two units.