Question

What happens to an atom that emits an alpha particle or a beta particle?

Answer 1

Whenever the atom's nucleus have abundance or scarcity of neutron as compared to proton the atom then become unstable then that unstable nuclei split up in a process of radioactive decay and emit radiation

Afetr emmiting radition now what will happen to atom nucleus or decay of nucleus. Lets talk in alpha decay .

Whenever an alpha particle is emitted from a nucleus it loses two protons and two neutrons. Which causes a decrement in atomic mass by 4 and decrement in atomic number is 2.

Whereas in whenever a beta particle is emitted from the nucleus the nucleus has 1+ proton and -1 neutron. But these changes wont affect the atomic mass of atom but atomic number is increased by 1