What happens to the atomic number of an element when an α particle is emitted from its nucleus?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When an α particle is emitted from a nucleus, the resulting atom will have an atomic number that is two lower than the original atom. This is because an α particle is equivalent to a helium nucleus, which has two protons and two neutrons. When the α particle is ejected, the atomic number is decreased by two because two protons have left the nucleus.

What Happens to the Atomic Number of an Element When