Which of these changes occurs in the nucleus during beta decay?
A)The mass number decreases by 4, and the atomic number decreases by 2.
B)The mass number does not change, but the atomic number changes.
C)The mass number changes, but the atomic number does not change.
D)Neither the mass number nor the atomic number changes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus is transformed into a proton and an electron (the beta particle), which is emitted. This process increases the atomic number by 1 (as a neutron becomes a proton) but leaves the mass number unchanged, since both neutrons and protons are counted towards it and their total number does not change.

Which of These Changes Occurs in the Nucleus During Beta