When a nucleus emits a beta particle, it's atomic number is ?
atomic number increased by 1. mass number stays the same.
It's atomic number is one more than what it was before because it emits an electron or positron. For example:U-240 decays by beta decay to Np-240BECAUSE240 0 240 92 U ----> -1 e + 93 NpHope this shows up the way I want it to.
Grrr... ok let me re-write it.
A beta particle (when emitted) increases the atomic number by one. Sorry DrBob I was posting earlier at the same time you posted. I can't show a proper example but if you look up "decay chain" on Wikipedia it'll explain it better than I can.
When a nucleus emits a beta particle, its atomic number changes. Specifically, the atomic number (or the number of protons) increases by 1. This happens because a beta particle is actually an electron or a positron. When a beta decay occurs, a neutron in the nucleus converts into a proton and emits a beta particle.
To determine the atomic number of a nucleus after it emits a beta particle, you need to know the original atomic number of the nucleus and whether it undergoes beta-minus decay or beta-plus decay.
- Beta-minus decay: In this case, a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton, and an electron (beta-minus particle) is emitted. Since a neutron has no charge (0) and a proton has a charge of +1, the atomic number increases by 1.
- Beta-plus decay: In this case, a proton in the nucleus is converted into a neutron, and a positron (beta-plus particle) is emitted. Since a proton has a charge of +1 and a neutron has no charge (0), the atomic number decreases by 1.
To summarize, during beta decay:
- In beta-minus decay, the atomic number increases by 1.
- In beta-plus decay, the atomic number decreases by 1.