How do the three forms of radioactivity change the atomic number?

Answer 1

They don't. Only atoms really have an atomic number, which is the number of protons in each atom, so when that number changes as in alpha and beta radiation the atom no longer has a neutral charge and becomes an ion. Gamma radiation is an electro-magnetic wave so it doesn't affect the atomic number and the particle is still an atom. Hypothetically, nd I'm not sure it's possible, alpha radiation would reduce the atomic number by 2, beta would reduce it by 1 and gamma doesn't reduce it at all anyway.

Answer 2

As elements undergo radioactive decay they lose both electrons and protons at a predictable rate. Eventually they will decay to lesser elements. An example is that Uranium will continue to decay into lower elements until it becomes lead.

Answer 3

This depends entirely on the type of decay an isotope undergoes.

Alpha decay emits a Helium nucleus, dropping the atomic number by 2, and the Atomic Mass by 4.

Beta decay converts a neutron into a proton and an electron, and emits the electron. This raises the atomic number by 1, but the mass remains constant

Beta + decay converts a proton to a neutron and emits a positron (an electron with a + charge). This lowers the atomic number by 1 and keeps the mass the same.

Gamma decay occurs when a nucleus is in a high energy state. the nucleus will give off a photon (gamma ray) to release energy and return to its ground state. This does not change the atomic number or mass.

Answer 4

Alpha decay decreases the atomic number by 2 because an alpha particle (helium nucleus) is emitted. Beta decay increases the atomic number by 1 because a neutron is converted into a proton. Gamma decay does not change the atomic number because it involves the emission of high-energy electromagnetic radiation.