How does nuclear decay affect the atomic number and mass number?

Answer 1

An atom's nucleus contains a different number of protons due to nuclear decay, which modifies the element.

For instance, uranium-235 undergoes alpha decay, which results in a decrease of 4 in the mass number and a decrease of 2 in the atomic number of the element, respectively, from 235 to 231 and from 92 to 90. This leads to the formation of a new element, thorium-231.

The atomic number would increase by 1 and the mass number would remain the same if the same element underwent beta decay, producing neptunium-235.

The process of gamma decay involves the release of a photon from the atom's nucleus. Since gamma rays are electromagnetic waves, they are pure energy and have neither mass nor atomic number; therefore, the atom's mass or atomic number remain unchanged. Instead, the atom is reduced in energy and is thus brought down to a less excited state.

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Answer 2

During nuclear decay, the atomic number changes as a result of the emission or absorption of particles. The mass number may also change due to the loss or gain of nucleons.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

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