The mass number of an atom undergoing beta decay doesn't change. However the daughter nucleus is a different element than the parent. Explain how this is possible
When an element loses an electron (from the nucleus) it is because one of the neutrons becomes a proton and the electron is ejected as a beta particle. The mass number doesn't change because the number of protons + number of neutrons is the same but the number of protons has increased by 1 so a different element has been formed.
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In beta decay, the mass number of an atom undergoing decay remains the same, which means the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus doesn't change. However, the daughter nucleus is indeed a different element than the parent. This can be explained by understanding the fundamental process occurring during beta decay.
Beta decay involves the transformation of a neutron into a proton or a proton into a neutron. This transformation occurs with the emission of a beta particle, which is either an electron (β-) or a positron (β+).
In beta-minus decay (β- decay), a neutron within the nucleus undergoes a transformation into a proton. This results in the number of protons increasing by one, while the number of neutrons decreases by one. Since the number of protons determines the element, the daughter nucleus will have a different number of protons, thus representing a different element.
In beta-plus decay (β+ decay), a proton within the nucleus undergoes a transformation into a neutron. This results in the number of protons decreasing by one, while the number of neutrons increases by one. Again, since the number of protons determines the element, the daughter nucleus will have a different number of protons, representing a different element.
The mass number, which is the sum of the protons and neutrons, remains constant throughout the process. This is because the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus doesn't change. However, due to the change in the number of protons, the element changes.
By understanding the concept of beta decay and the transformation of protons and neutrons, we can explain why the mass number of an atom undergoing beta decay doesn't change, while the daughter nucleus ends up being a different element than the parent.