Question

How is the atomic number affected by beta decay?

Answer 1

Durning `beta^-` it increases by one. Durning `beta^+` it decreases by one.

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Durning `beta^-` a neutron turns into a proton, an electron and anti-electron neutrino are emitted in the process. The electron is the beta particle in this reaction. The nucleus gains a proton in this reaction so the atomic number increases by one.

Durning `beta^+` a proton turns into a neutron, a positron and electron neutrino are emitted in the process. The positron is the beta particle in this reaction. The nucleus loses a proton in this reaction so the atomic number decreases by one.