QuestionMay 22, 2025

What happens to the mass number and atomic number of an atom after beta decay? mass #increases by 2 and the atomic number decreases by 4 mass # decreases by 4 and the atomic # decreases by 2 mass # stays the same and the atomic #increases by 1 nothing changes

What happens to the mass number and atomic number of an atom after beta decay? mass #increases by 2 and the atomic number decreases by 4 mass # decreases by 4 and the atomic # decreases by 2 mass # stays the same and the atomic #increases by 1 nothing changes
What happens to the mass number and atomic number of an atom after beta decay?
mass #increases by 2 and the atomic number decreases by 4
mass # decreases by 4 and the atomic # decreases by 2
mass # stays the same and the atomic #increases by 1
nothing changes

Solution
4.0(306 votes)

Answer

mass \# stays the same and the atomic \# increases by 1 Explanation 1. Identify the effect of beta decay In beta decay, a neutron is converted into a proton and an electron (beta particle) is emitted. 2. Determine changes in atomic number The atomic number increases by 1 because a neutron becomes a proton. 3. Determine changes in mass number The mass number remains the same as the total number of nucleons (protons + neutrons) does not change.

Explanation

1. Identify the effect of beta decay<br /> In beta decay, a neutron is converted into a proton and an electron (beta particle) is emitted.<br /><br />2. Determine changes in atomic number<br /> The atomic number increases by 1 because a neutron becomes a proton.<br /><br />3. Determine changes in mass number<br /> The mass number remains the same as the total number of nucleons (protons + neutrons) does not change.
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