Question

An element emits 1 beta particle, and its product then emits 1 alpha particle. The atomic number of the resulting element is changed by?

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Answer 1

A beta particle forms when a neutron changes into a proton and a high-energy electron,here the proton stays in the nucleus but the electron leaves the atom as a beta particle. When a nucleus emits a beta particle, it means it looses a neutron and gains a proton. So there is no net change in mass number. But since it gained a proton, the atomic number increases by 1.

Since an alpha particles is a helium nucleus, it involves the loss of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. As a result, the atom the loses an alpha particle decreases its mass number by four i.e 2 protons and 2 neutrons and decreases it's atomic number by 2 because of the loss of two protons).

So after the two emissions we have one increase and two decrease in atomic number.

So when an element emits 1 beta particle and then an alpha particle, it's atomic number is decreased by 1.