0
What kinds of changes to a nucleus occur for each kind of nuclear decay?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
In alpha decay, the nucleus loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons. This causes the atomic number to decrease by 2, thus a new element is formed. The mass also changes by 4. Extra energy is also released as gamma radiation.
In beta decay, one neutron in the nucleus changes into a proton and the nucleus emits a beta particle (the electron). Also gamma rays may be released calling away extra energy. The nucleus now has 2 more proton so the atomic number increases by 1 and again a new different element has been formed. The mass number of the isotope is still the same.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Are beta emission and beta decay the same?
There is a difference between beta emitters and beta particles. In situations where an atomic nucleus exhibits nuclear instability due to too many neutrons for the number of protons or vice versa, that nucleus may undergo beta decay. It the decay event occurs, that atom is considered a beta emitter. The emitted particle is the beta particle. That's the difference. (There are two different beta particles, so check the articles on beta decay to get the scoop.)
All nuclear reactions due to nuclear transmutation?
Nuclear reactions may or may not involve nuclear transmutation. We need to split hairs here to arrive at the correct answer, and the answer involves the definition of the word transmutation. We sometimes think of transmutation as the changing of one element to another. Fission and fusion reactions do this, and many kinds of radioactive decay also convert one element into another. But there are some kinds of nuclear reactions that do not change an atom from one element to another, but instead change it from one isotope of a given element into another isotope of that element. There are a number of examples of this, and one is where isotopes of a given element absorb a neutron and become another isotope of that element. A given nucleus incorporates the neutron into its nuclear arrangement and the next heavier isotope of that element is created. If a "strict" definition of transmutation is used where it means a nuclear reaction that changes one element into another, then no, this does not always happen as illustrated above with the example of neutron absorption. If a more general interpretation of the term is used where we say that the nucleus transmutes meaning changes configuration, then yes, nuclear reactions involve nuclear transmutation.
What do you know about nuclear changes?
You are probably thinking of changes to a nucleus in nuclear reactions. This can be during radioactive decay, a nucleus emitting an alpha or beta particle is transmuted to another nucleus which defines it as a different element. Also during nuclear fission the nuclei of uranium or plutonium are split up and hence become other elements
Where is DNA found in the eukryote cell?
There are two kinds of DNA in a eukaryotic cell, nuclear and mitochondrial. Nuclear is found in the nucleus and mitochondrial is found in the mitochondria. However, not as many people know about mitochondrial DNA and the only time it is ever refered to is when you are tracking the mother's side of a family with DNA. So for the most part, DNA is found in the nucleus.Eukaryote DNA is located in the nucleus of the cell.
Are x-rays emitted during radioactive decay?
Yes they are. Nearly all kinds of electromagnetic radiation are emitted during radioactive decay
What effect does the weak nuclear force have on an object?
The weak nuclear force is related to some kinds of radioactive decay, and has no other effect that we have observed.
Is there a positron in the nucleus of an atom?
There are no positrons in the nucleus of any atom. Positrons are anti-electrons; they are antimatter. They could be said to be the antimatter equivalent of the electron, and, as such, they would be present around the nucleus of an antimatter atom as the electrons are present around the nucleus of a "regular" atom. Positrons can be produced in atomic nuclei by some kinds of radioactive decay, and they can be observed to be leaving a nuclear reaction called beta plus decay. But the positron leaves the nucleus of an atom as soon as it is created. It does not (cannot) exist in the nucleus of an atom.
Are beta emission and beta decay the same?
There is a difference between beta emitters and beta particles. In situations where an atomic nucleus exhibits nuclear instability due to too many neutrons for the number of protons or vice versa, that nucleus may undergo beta decay. It the decay event occurs, that atom is considered a beta emitter. The emitted particle is the beta particle. That's the difference. (There are two different beta particles, so check the articles on beta decay to get the scoop.)
What is the purpose of nuclear decay?
nuclear decay is when the nucleus of an atom is broken apart. because the number of protons has changed, so has the element. this usually happens with large nuclei, which tend to be more unstable (radioactive) than smaller nuclei.
All nuclear reactions due to nuclear transmutation?
Nuclear reactions may or may not involve nuclear transmutation. We need to split hairs here to arrive at the correct answer, and the answer involves the definition of the word transmutation. We sometimes think of transmutation as the changing of one element to another. Fission and fusion reactions do this, and many kinds of radioactive decay also convert one element into another. But there are some kinds of nuclear reactions that do not change an atom from one element to another, but instead change it from one isotope of a given element into another isotope of that element. There are a number of examples of this, and one is where isotopes of a given element absorb a neutron and become another isotope of that element. A given nucleus incorporates the neutron into its nuclear arrangement and the next heavier isotope of that element is created. If a "strict" definition of transmutation is used where it means a nuclear reaction that changes one element into another, then no, this does not always happen as illustrated above with the example of neutron absorption. If a more general interpretation of the term is used where we say that the nucleus transmutes meaning changes configuration, then yes, nuclear reactions involve nuclear transmutation.
How does the nucleus of an atom change after beta decay?
There are two different kinds of beta decay, negative and positive. In negative beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus emits an electron and an electron antineutrino, becoming a proton in the process. This increases the atomic number of the atom by one, but it decreases the mass because the only thing really lost is the electron antineutrino. In positive beta decay, a proton in the nucleus receives energy from outside the atom to convert into a neutron, a positron and a neutrino. This increases the mass of the atom by converting the energy from outside the atom into mass within it.
What about nuclear family?
"Nuclear family" is a metaphor. The nucleus of an atom is the center part. The family is the center of society. But -- and this is the part that people forget sometimes -- without the surrounding electrons, a nucleus is unstable. A "nuclear family" wouldn't survive very long without all kinds of other families around them. A nuclear family is a family that consists of a mom, dad and one or more children. It's health, not science.
What do you know about nuclear changes?
You are probably thinking of changes to a nucleus in nuclear reactions. This can be during radioactive decay, a nucleus emitting an alpha or beta particle is transmuted to another nucleus which defines it as a different element. Also during nuclear fission the nuclei of uranium or plutonium are split up and hence become other elements
Where is DNA found in the eukryote cell?
There are two kinds of DNA in a eukaryotic cell, nuclear and mitochondrial. Nuclear is found in the nucleus and mitochondrial is found in the mitochondria. However, not as many people know about mitochondrial DNA and the only time it is ever refered to is when you are tracking the mother's side of a family with DNA. So for the most part, DNA is found in the nucleus.Eukaryote DNA is located in the nucleus of the cell.
What is the same as the number of protons in its nucleus?
The number of protons in an atomic nucleus can change by several different mechanisms. Let's look at each one and see what happens.In an atom with "too many" protons in its nucleus, that unstable atom can undergo what is called beta decay. There are two types of beta decay, and the one that could happen here goes by the name beta plus decay. In beta plus decay, a proton in the nucleus of that unstable atom transforms into a neutron. A positron and an antineutrino will be ejected from the nucleus, and the number of protons will have gone down by one. If you guessed that nuclear transmutation has just occurred where one element has transformed into another one, you'd be correct.In some other unstable atoms with "too many" protons in the nucleus, that nucleus could under an electron capture event. In electron capture, the nucleus "pulls in" a nearby electron from one of the inner shells of the atom, and that electron "combines" with a proton to become a neutron. Again, the number of protons in the nucleus goes down by one, and nuclear transmutation has occurred.Lastly, it is possible to bombard atomic nuclei with particles and "knock" protons out of a nucleus that is "hit" by the bombarding particles. There are a few different activities that are carried out in nuclear physics labs to do this, but we'll leave it here for now. Just keep in mind that beta plus decay and electron capture are the two primary methods that unstable nuclei undergo when they change the number of protons they have. Links to related questions can be found below for more information.
What kind of radiation is emitted in the following nuclear reaction?
Type your answer here... Alpha decay Nuclear fission
What are prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
The nucleus of the bacterial cell is not well-organised like the cells of the multicellular organisms. There is no nuclear membrane. The cells having nuclear material without nuclear membrane are termed Prokaryotic cells. The organisms with these kinds of cell are called Prokaryotes(pro:primitive; Karyon: nucleus). Examples are bacteria and blue green algae.The cells, like onion cells and check cells having well-organised nucleus with a nuclear membrane are designated as Eukaryotic cells. All organisms other than bacteria and blue green algae are called Eukaryotes. (eu: true ; karyon: nucleus).
