What happens during nuclear transmutation?

1 Answer
May 4, 2016

In the transmutation processes, an atom has its nucleon attributes changed (e.g. number of protons)

Explanation:

Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one chemical element or an isotope into another.

A transmutation can be achieved either by nuclear reactions (in which an outside particle reacts with a nucleus) or by radioactive decay (where no outside particle is needed).

Therefore, in nuclear transmutation, an atom has its "identity" (e.g. atomic mass) "lost" (changed) due to nucleon alteration.

Nuclear fission, that can generate transmutation

Alfa decay, that can generate transmutation
Beta decay, that can generate transmutation
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