Answer to Question #165946 in Physics for Sam

Question

Describe the changes that happen in the nucleus during alpha , beta -minus ,beta -plus and gamma decay

Answer 1

Alpha decay or α-decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (helium nucleus) and thereby transforms or 'decays' into a different atomic nucleus, with a mass number that is reduced by four and an atomic number that is reduced by two. 

The two types of beta decay are known as beta minus and beta plus. In beta minus (β⁻) decay, a neutron is converted to a proton, and the process creates an electron and an electron antineutrino; while in beta plus (β⁺) decay, a proton is converted to a neutron and the process creates a positron and an electron neutrino. 

In gamma decay, no change in proton number occurs, so the atom does not become a different element.