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Answer: It depends on the type of beta decay. There are two types of beta radiation: beta minus and beta plus. (In both cases, the mass number is not affected.)

In the occurrence of beta minus decay, the atomic number increases by one, but the mass number stays the same. A neutron is changed into a proton via the weak nuclear interaction. An electron and an electron anti-neutrino are emitted. (One of the down quarks that make up the hadron is being changed to an up quark, and that is enough to change the entire hadron).

In the occurrence of beta plus decay, the atomic number decreases by one, but the mass number stays the same. A positron and an electron neutrino are generally emitted.

Beta minus occurs when there are too many neutrons in the nucleus. Beta plus occurs when there are too many protons in the nucleus.

Important Detail: Some gamma rays are emitted shortly after beta plus, beta minus, or alpha decay because the nuclei still has excess energy.

Answer: A beta particle (AKA an electron or positron) has a mass number of zero and an atomic number of -1 or +1, so the product of decay has the same mass but an atomic number 1 different than the original nuclei.

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When radium emits an alpha particle the resulting nucleus has atomic number?

The result is radon, atomic number 86. 226Ra - alpha particle = 222Rn (radon, a radioactive gas)


What is a positively charged particle of the nucleus?

A positively charged particle in the nucleus is a proton. Protons have a positive electrical charge and are responsible for determining the atomic number of an atom.


During beta decay what's the following change will occur in the nucleus?

During beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus will be converted into a proton, releasing an electron (beta particle) and an antineutrino. This process increases the atomic number of the nucleus while keeping the overall mass number constant.


When a radioactive isotope emits a its atomic number increases?

When a radioactive isotope emits a beta particle (high-energy electron), a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton. This causes the atomic number of the nucleus to increase by one because a proton has a positive charge and changes a neutron to a proton increases the atomic number.


What happen to atomic number and mass number of nucleus when it emits alpha particle electron and proton?

It's been awhile for me, but this is how I remember it. It is not convenient for me to look it up right at the moment, so you may want to verify this. Emitting an alpha particle (2 proton 2 neutron), atomic number would decrease by 2 and atomic mass decreases by 4.Electron emission means a neutron turns into a proton and electron, but the electron shoots out. The atomic number increases by 1 and atomic mass stays the same. Proton emission, well it loses a proton. So the atomic number decreases and mass decreases.

Related Questions

When an unstable nucleus produces an beta particle by how many units does the atomic number of the nucleus change?

The atomic number decreases by one for each beta particle


When an unstable nucleus produces an alpha particle by how many units does the atomic number of the nucleus change?

An alpha particle is a helium nucleus, which consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. When an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, it loses 2 protons, which means its atomic number will be reduced by 2.


What happens to the atomic number when the nucleus releases a beta particle?

When the nucleus releases a beta minus particle the atomic number increase with 1.When the nucleus releases a beta plus particle the atomic number decrease with 1.


What particle does the atomic number equal in the nucleus?

The number of Protons in the nucleus determines the atom's Atomic number.


What is proton or atomic number?

A proton is a subatomic particle in the nucleus of an atom. Protons have a positive electric charge. The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus of one of its atoms. Therefore, if you change the number of protons in an atom, you change the element.


If a radioactive nucleus with an atomic number of 88 emits an alpha particle what will the atomic number of the new nucleus be?

Two less, since the alpha particle takes away two protons.


What does An alpha particle has the same mass and atomic number as?

Helium nucleus


That particle that gives an element its atomic number is in this part?

The atomic number is determined by the number of protons, which are located in the nucleus.


What subatomic particle is the same as the atomic number?

In a neutral atom, the number of protons (or the number of electrons) are the same as the atomic number.


What Atomic number is the number of what subatomic particle?

Atomic number is equal to the number of protons and electrons (in a neutral atom).


The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of contained in one atom of that particle?

The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons contained in the atomic nucleus.


When thorium emits beta particle the resulting nucleus has a atomic number?

The resulting element is protactinium, atomic number 91.