Nuclear decay, etc. is defined for the nucleus. The atom consists mostly of the nucleus. If the nucleus loses two protons (in the case of alpha decay) it will have two charges less; eventually it will tend to lose two electrons to become an electrically neutral atom.
Alpha decay is the emission of an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons. During alpha decay, the parent nucleus loses an alpha particle to become a different nucleus called the daughter product. The daughter product formed after alpha decay will have an atomic number that is two less and a mass number that is four less than the parent nucleus.
That's a description of an alpha particle. That "bundle" of two protons and two neutrons is actually a helium-4 nucleus. Use the link below to learn more.
Mass number of the parent nucleus will be reduced by 4
The nucleus of the chemical element with atomic number 2 is known as an alpha particle. It is emitted by some radioactive substances during the process of alpha decay, where a parent nucleus releases an alpha particle to become a more stable daughter nucleus. Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons bound together.
Atomic number increases by one.
true
No, the daughter element after alpha decay has less atomic number than the parent (reducing charge), but the total charge (protons) in the nucleus remains the same. The daughter element gains stability by emitting an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons.
If Sulfur-34 undergoes alpha decay, it will become silicon-30. This is because in alpha decay, the parent nucleus loses an alpha particle (which is a helium nucleus composed of 2 protons and 2 neutrons), resulting in a new nucleus with an atomic number reduced by 2 and a mass number reduced by 4.
An alpha particle is identical to the nucleus of Helium atom
Yes it does
Alpha particle is composed of two protons and two neutrons (equivalent to He nucleus). So the parent decaying by alpha decay results in a daughter having atomic number less by two and mass number less by four.
Alpha decay is the loss form the atomic nucleus of an "alpha" particle - that is 2 protons and 2 neutrons (a helium nucleus).