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When you write out the symbol for an isotope, it has two numbers before the chemical symbol....the bottom one is the atomic number (#protons) and the top one is the Atomic Mass (#protons + # neutrons).
Since the letter abbreviation is given, the bottom number is kind of redundant. So, sometimes people will write the abbreviation as the letter abbreviation followed by the mass number. So, Rb-82 would have 37 protons and 82-37 neutrons (45).
Beta particles would be written as a beta with the top number being zero (negligible mass for this purpose) and the bottom number being -1.
So, if you lose a zero from the atomic mass, there is no change. If you lose a negative one from the atomic number, the atomic number increases by 1.
So, for example, Th-234 has an atomic number of 90. Loss of a beta doesn't change its mass (still 234), but changes its identity to 91, which is the element Protocinium (Pa-234).
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Does the total number of nucleons in the nucleus of the atom ever increase during the decay chain?
No, because it is *DECAYING*.
What would happen to the type of atom when the number of protons is changed?
It would become an atom of a different element. This can only happen during radioactive decay, nuclear fusion, or nuclear fission.
What happens when an atom releases both an alpha and a beta particle?
This does not happen in a single decay event. It requires two separate decay events.
How can you determine the number of protons in an atom changes?
For the alpha decay the number of protons decrease with 4; for the beta minus decay the number of protons ih higher with 1.
What type of decay is involved when gold-202 decays into mercury-202?
Negative beta (electron) decay; in which the mass number remains constant) and the atomic number of daughter atom in higher than the parent atom by one.
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.
Does the total number of nucleons in the nucleus of the atom ever increase during the decay chain?
No, because it is *DECAYING*.
In beta decay what happens within the nucleus of the atom?
kutta panna
What would happen to the type of atom when the number of protons is changed?
It would become an atom of a different element. This can only happen during radioactive decay, nuclear fusion, or nuclear fission.
When radioactive decay occurs a atom is always produced by the action?
During any type of radioactive decay, one isotope (type of atom) will convert into a different isotope.
Do atom get rid of their excess energy by giving off radioactive decay?
Yes, that's more or less what happens in the case of radioactive decay.
What happens when an atom releases both an alpha and a beta particle?
This does not happen in a single decay event. It requires two separate decay events.
How can you determine the number of protons in an atom changes?
For the alpha decay the number of protons decrease with 4; for the beta minus decay the number of protons ih higher with 1.
What does alpha decay do to an atom mass and atomic number?
Reduces the number by 2 and the mass by 4.
Why is it called half-life of an atom?
The half-life of an atom is how long it takes for half of the atom's mass to radioactively decay. This occurs exponentially; therefore, after 2 of the atom's half-lives have passed, 3/4 of the atom will have decay (half during the first half-life, then half of the remaining mass, or one quarter, during the second).
What type of decay is involved when gold-202 decays into mercury-202?
Negative beta (electron) decay; in which the mass number remains constant) and the atomic number of daughter atom in higher than the parent atom by one.
What is the radioactive decay of an atom resulting in the decrease in the atomic number with no charge in the atomic mass called?
It is called beta decay. there are two types: 1) posive beta decay in which atomic number decreases. 2) negative beta decay in which atomic number increases.
