What happens when an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle?

If the nucleus has too few neutrons, it will emit a ‘package’ of two protons and two neutrons called an alpha particle. Alpha decay causes the mass number of the nucleus to decrease by four and the atomic number of the nucleus to decrease by two.

What happens when an unstable nucleus emits a beta particle?

Beta decay A beta particle forms when a neutron changes into a proton and a high-energy electron . The proton stays in the nucleus but the electron leaves the atom as a beta particle. When a nucleus emits a beta particle, these changes happen: the atomic number increases by 1.

Why is gamma decay more destructive than alpha or beta decay?

A high energy gamma ray can easily enter your body, but it can also just as easy exit your body. It usually causes less damage on its way! So it is not the radiation itself that makes it ‘dangerous’, its just that alpha and beta particles are easier to shield then gamma rays.

Why are heavier nuclei unstable?

Heavy nuclie are unstable due to large repulsive forces between large number of protons in the nucleus.

Why does beta decay happen?

Beta decay occurs when, in a nucleus with too many protons or too many neutrons, one of the protons or neutrons is transformed into the other. In beta minus decay, a neutron decays into a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino: n Æ p + e – +.

What is the difference between beta and alpha decay?

Alpha decay forms new element with two fewer protons and two fewer neutrons; Beta decay forms new element with one more proton and one fewer neutron.

Which is worse alpha beta or gamma radiation?

alpha radiation is the most dangerous because it is easily absorbed by cells. beta and gamma radiation are not as dangerous because they are less likely to be absorbed by a cell and will usually just pass right through it.

How does an unstable nucleus decay?

An unstable nucleus can decay by emitting an alpha particle, a beta particle, a gamma ray or in some cases a single neutron. If the nucleus has too few neutrons, it will emit a ‘package’ of two protons and two neutrons called an alpha particle.

How does beta decay change the atomic mass?

Beta decay causes the atomic number of the nucleus to increase by one while the mass number remains the same. After emitting an alpha or beta particle, the nucleus will often still be too ‘hot’ and will lose energy in a similar way to how a hot gas cools down.

What is the alpha decay of helium?

Note that an alpha particle is a helium nucleus, and that both mass number and atomic number are conserved in the decay. Alpha decay can essentially be thought of as nuclear fission where the parent nucleus splits into two daughter nuclei. Alpha decay is fundamentally a quantum tunneling process.

What happens when there are too many neutrons in the nucleus?

If the nucleus has too many neutrons, a neutron will turn into a proton and emit a fast-moving electron. This electron is called a beta (β) particle – this process is known as beta radiation. A beta particle has a relative mass of zero, so its mass number is zero.