This is a gamma-decay.
Protons and neutrons are normally bound within the nucleus by the strong nuclear force. However, they can be ejected from the nucleus in processes like radioactive decay or nuclear fission.
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.
Often, but not always, atoms with an equal number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus are stable and not radioactive.
An atom "becomes" radioactive when it is created. It's that simple. Radioactivity is a phenomenon associated with atoms that have unstable nuclei. The key is that the protons and neutrons that form the nucleus "don't like" the "arrangement" there and the atomic nucleus is unstable. The "ratio" of protons to neutrons in a nucleus is intrinsically unstable. The instability is something that the nucleus, when it is formed (and by whatever means), has as an innate quality. It is unstable, and it isradioactive, and at some point in time, it will undergo decay, or even spontaneous fission, in the case of certain atoms, like uranium and plutonium.
When a radioactive nucleus emits an alpha particle, it decreases by two protons and two neutrons. This results in a new nucleus with a lower atomic number by 2 and lower mass number by 4. The emitted alpha particle is a helium nucleus (2 protons and 2 neutrons) and carries a positive charge.
Radioactive
Protons and neutrons are normally bound within the nucleus by the strong nuclear force. However, they can be ejected from the nucleus in processes like radioactive decay or nuclear fission.
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.
Often, but not always, atoms with an equal number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus are stable and not radioactive.
Alpha Decay
The atomic nucleus contain protons and neutrons.
Because they are both in the nucleus and if they weren't the element would be radioactive.
All the protons and neutrons are located in the nucleus (center) Protons are positvely charged (red) neutrons are green, electrons are negatively charged and yellow
This is the radioactive isotope bromine-78.
alpha particle
An atom "becomes" radioactive when it is created. It's that simple. Radioactivity is a phenomenon associated with atoms that have unstable nuclei. The key is that the protons and neutrons that form the nucleus "don't like" the "arrangement" there and the atomic nucleus is unstable. The "ratio" of protons to neutrons in a nucleus is intrinsically unstable. The instability is something that the nucleus, when it is formed (and by whatever means), has as an innate quality. It is unstable, and it isradioactive, and at some point in time, it will undergo decay, or even spontaneous fission, in the case of certain atoms, like uranium and plutonium.
When a radioactive nucleus emits an alpha particle, it decreases by two protons and two neutrons. This results in a new nucleus with a lower atomic number by 2 and lower mass number by 4. The emitted alpha particle is a helium nucleus (2 protons and 2 neutrons) and carries a positive charge.