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To my knowledge (and I stand to be corrected on this), the atomic number of an element does not stay the same after beta decay but increases or decreases by 1 depending on the direction of the decay; if a neutron becomes a proton, the atomic number changes by +1; if a proton becomes a neutron, the atomic number changes by -1.

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Q: What is a good explanation why the atomic number stays the same during beta decay?
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Related questions

How is the atomic number of a nucleus change is it by alpha decay or beta decay or gamma decay?

Alpha decay decreases the atomic number by two. Beta- decay increases the atomic number by one. Beta+ decay decreases the atomic number by one. Gamma decay does not change the atomic number. However, gamma decay is often incidental to a precipitating alpha or beta event that upsets the energy equilibrium in the nucleus, so the two are not unrelated.


Does Gamma decay change the atomic number?

Gamma decay don't affect the atomic number.


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.


How does the atomic number of a nucleus change when beta decay occurs?

The atomic number increases by one unit when a beta decay occurs.


How is the atomic mass number of a nucleus changed by alpha decay or by beta decay or by gamma decay?

The mass does not change much. The Atomic number will increase though.


How does nuclear decay affect the atomic number and mass number of a nucleus that changes after undergoing decay?

Beta+ decay and electron capture causes the atomic number to drop by one. Beta- causes the the atomic number to rise by one.Proton emission causes the atomic and mass number to drop by one.Neutron emission causes the mass number to drop by one.Alpha decay causes the atomic number to drop by two and the mass number to drop by four.


What radioactive decay processes do not reduce the atomic number of a nuclide?

Beta 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.


Does atomic mass stay the same?

The atomic mass of a radioactive atoms is changed during the radioactive decay (alpha decay, neutron decay, proton decay, double proton decay), spontaneous or artificial fission, nuclear reactions.


What changes in atomic number and mass number occur in beta emission?

Electron (beta minus) decay: the atomic mass remain approx. constant, the atomic number will be greater with 1 Positron (beta plus) and electron capture decay: the atomic mass remain approx. constant, the atomic number decrease with 1 Double beta decay: the atomic mass remain approx. constant, the atomic number will be greater with 2


What is the name of the process during which atomic nuclei decay?

D. Radioactivity


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.