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What happens to the total number of nucleons during beta decay?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Beta- decay involves changing a neutron into a proton, so, beta- decay would increase the number of protons by 1.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoRemains the same
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When an atom emits a beta particle the number of nucleons?
In this case the atomic number is increased with one.
How do write equation for alpha decay of actinium-225?
An alpha particle consists of 4 nucleons, which are 2 protons and 2 neutrons. In alpha decay, an alpha particle is emitted from the nucleus of an atom, so the atom loses 2 protons, and a total of 4 nucleons. The atomic number of an atom undergoing alpha decay is reduced by 2, the number of protons lost, and the mass number is reduced by 4, the number of nucleons lost.
Does the colder the temperature the faster decay happens?
Yes.
What types of nuclear forces determine the rate at which a radioactive material decays?
Nuclear decay is not affected by physical conditions, therefore nothing can speed it up or slow it down. It is impossible to predict when a particular atom will decay, but given the number of atoms and their half life the total number number of decays can be predicted. Radioactivity is measured in becquerels (Bq). One becquerel equals one decay per second. Half life is the time taken for half of the unstable nuclei to decay.
Atomic number increases by one during what type of radioactive decay?
Beta decays does. But alpha decay lowers it by 2.
Does the total number of nucleons in the nucleus of the atom ever increase during the decay chain?
No, because it is *DECAYING*.
What is the source of the alpha decay?
Alpha decay is a nuclear process where a 4He nucleus is spontaneously emitted to reduce energy and lower the initial isotopes total number of nucleons.
Is neutron number conserved in radioactive decay?
The number of neutrons is not conserved during decay.
Radioactive decay does not involve electrons?
Actually there is a mode of radioactive decay which involves an atomic electron. It is called electron capture and results in the atomic number Z decreasing by 1 and the mass number A remaining the same. This happens in nuclei which have a deficiency of neutrons. No ion is formed, but a K or L x-ray can be emitted in addition to a neutrino and possible gamma rays.
How many nucleons are there in Carbon?
Any atom has only one nucleus in it. The difference is always in the number of nucleons. Nucleons are the fundamental particles of an atom that constitute the nucleus. Protons and neutrons are the primary nucleons. The number of protons is always different for different elements. For e.g., the number of protons in a carbon atom is 6
What is necessary for you to be able to explain what happens during radioactive decay?
To fully explain radioactive decay you need quantum mechanics.
When an atom emits a beta particle the number of nucleons?
In this case the atomic number is increased with one.
How is it possible for an element to decay forward in the periodic table that is to decay to an element of higher atomic number?
When elements form other elements of a higher atomic number, the process by which that happens is called nuclear fusion, not radioactive decay, and it normally happens only inside stars.
What happens to radioactive isotopes during radioactive decay?
That depends on the specific radioisotope. For instance, uranium 238 emits an alpha particle during radioactive decay, reducing the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus by 2 each and producing thorium 234. On the other hand, carbon 14 emits a beta particle (an electron) during radioactive decay, decreasing the number of neutrons and increasing the number of protons by 1 each and producing nitrogen 14. There are quite a few other examples with different changes depending on the type of radioactive decay.
What happens to an isotope during radioactive?
That depends on the specific radioisotope. For instance, uranium 238 emits an alpha particle during radioactive decay, reducing the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus by 2 each and producing thorium 234. On the other hand, carbon 14 emits a beta particle (an electron) during radioactive decay, decreasing the number of neutrons and increasing the number of protons by 1 each and producing nitrogen 14. There are quite a few other examples with different changes depending on the type of radioactive decay.
What is a balanced equation for the alpha decay of thorium -232?
Alright so you begin with what you need, this isotope of Protactinium has 234 nucleons, its atomic number is 91, in Beta decay we release an electron, which has no nucleons (protons and neutrons) and an atomic number of -1 so when we take out -1 from 91, so 91 - -1 we get 92, which is of course Uranium, this particular isotope has 234 nucleons, now, to show where it has gone, write the electron in, and add a antineutrino aswell, heres how mine looks. Pa23491 ---> U23491 + e0-1 + antineutrino (a v with a little line above it) Hope this helps :)
What happens to the atomic number of an atom undergoing alpha decay?
The atomic number of an atom undergoing alpha decay decreases by 2. Not asked, but answered for completeness, the atomic mass number decreases by 4.
