How does the nucleus of an atom change after beta decay?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

Atomic number actually changes during either form of beta decay. It may go up or down by one. Use the link below to the related question to review the nature of beta decay and see why.

Answer 3

There are two types of beta decay: beta-minus and beta-plus

Let's consider this beta-minus decay reaction:

A ----> B + beta-minus

Here, the mass numbers of A and B are the same. B has one more proton than A, but one less neutron.

Now this is a beta-plus decay:

A ----> B + beta-plus

Here, the mass numbers of A and B are the same again. But B has one more neutron than A, but one less proton.

Answer 4

The nucleus of an atom changes after beta decay in the sense that it essentially loses one electron. Other than that, however, it remains largely the same.

Answer 5

Because a neutron became a proton. The atomic number is the total number of protons in the nucleus.

Answer 6

After beta decay, the nucleus gains one more proton, converting a neutron into a proton. This changes the atomic number of the nucleus, meaning the element is transformed into a different element.

Answer 7

increases by 1, trivial change in mass