When an atom emits an alpha particle (a), its atomic number (no. of protons) reduces by 2 and its mass number reduces by 4. A proton is positively charged and a neutron is neutral, so the charge of the nucleus decreases.
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What does beta decay do?
It increases the charge of the nucleus.
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How does beta decay work?
A neutron in the nucleus turns into a proton and releases a fast-moving electron. The number of the protons has increased by 1. This increases the positive charge but the mass doesn't change as it has gained a proton and lost a neutron.
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What do gamma rays do?
They don't change the mass or charge of the nucleus-they are a way of getting rid of excess energy from a nucleus, meaning that there is no change to the atomic mass or atomic number of the atom.
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How do you write alpha and beta particles in an equation?
Alpha = a helium nucleus ("He" with a 4 above it and a 2 below it). Beta = "e" with a 0 above it and a -1 below it.
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Card 2
Front
How does alpha decay work?
Back
When an atom emits an alpha particle (a), its atomic number (no. of protons) reduces by 2 and its mass number reduces by 4. A proton is positively charged and a neutron is neutral, so the charge of the nucleus decreases.
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