Beta Emission
Beta emission is a type of radioactive decay where a neutron in the nucleus of an atom decays into a proton, an electron (beta particle), and an antineutrino.
Changes in Atomic Number:
* Increases by 1: Since a neutron turns into a proton, the number of protons in the nucleus increases by one. This, in turn, increases the atomic number by one. The atom essentially transforms into a different element.
Changes in Mass Number:
* Stays the same: The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons. While a neutron is lost, a proton is gained, so the total number of nucleons (protons + neutrons) remains constant. Therefore, the mass number doesn't change.
In Summary
* Atomic Number: Increases by 1
* Mass Number: Remains the same
Example:
* Carbon-14 (atomic number 6, mass number 14) undergoes beta decay and transforms into Nitrogen-14 (atomic number 7, mass number 14).
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