a. What happens in the nucleus of an atom when an alpha particle is emitted?

b. What happens in the nucleus of an atom when a beta particle is emitted?

Answer :

Alkatoe
alpha: the nucleus' mass number would decrease by 4, atomic number would decrease by 2 - because alpha particle = helium nucleus. :)
beta: the nucleus' the mass number would remain the same and atomic number would INCREASE by 1 - because beta particle = an electrone (which has atomic number -1) :)

Atomic number of decreases by 2 and mass number decreases by 4 when an alpha particle is emitted.

Atomic number of increases by 1 and atomic mass remains the same when a beta particle is emitted.

Further Explanation:

The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus releases energy in the form of different particles such as alpha, beta and gamma particles is called radioactive disintegration. It is also known as nuclear or radioactive decay.

Alpha decay

This decay occurs with the emission of alpha particles by an unstable nucleus. An alpha particle is a helium nucleus that consists of two protons and two neutrons. It has a charge of +2. The general reaction for alpha decay is,

[tex]_{\text{Z}}^{\text{A}}{\text{X}} \to _{{\text{Z - 2}}}^{{\text{A - 4}}}{\text{X}} + _{\text{2}}^{\text{4}}{\text{He}}[/tex]  

Beta decay

This decay occurs with the emission of beta particles. The general reaction for beta decay is,

[tex]_{\text{Z}}^{\text{A}}{\text{X}} \to _{{\text{Z + 1}}}^{\text{A}}{\text{X}} + _{{\text{ - 1}}}^{\text{0}}{\text{\beta }}[/tex]  

A. Alpha particle is simply a helium nucleus [tex]\left( {_{\text{2}}^{\text{4}}{\text{He}}} \right)[/tex]. So when an alpha particle is emitted, the atomic number of the resultant nucleus decreases by 2 and its mass number decreases by 4.

B. Beta particle is simply [tex]_{{\text{ - 1}}}^{\text{0}}{{\beta }}[/tex]. So its emission results in an increase in the atomic number of the resultant nucleus by 1 but its atomic mass or mass number remains same.

Learn more:

  1. What nuclide will be produced in the given reaction? https://brainly.com/question/3433940
  2. Calculate the nuclear binding energy: https://brainly.com/question/5822604

Answer details:

Grade: Senior School

Subject: Chemistry

Chapter: Nuclear chemistry

Keywords: alpha particle, atomic number, atomic mass, helium nucleus, nucleus, 2, 4, He, radioactive decay, radioactive disintegration.

Other Questions