In alpha decay, does a neutron decay into a proton and an electron.?

Sep 25, 2016

No, not quite.

Explanation:

When a radioactive nuclide undergoes alpha decay, its nucleus of emits an alpha particle, which is essentially the nucleus of a helium-4 atom.

More specifically, an alpha particle contains $2$ protons and $2$ neutrons, which gives it a mass number of $4$.

Now, what you're describing in the question is actually very close to being a beta decay, also known as a beta minus decay.

When a radioactive nuclide undergoes beta decay, one of its neutrons in being converted into a proton. At the same time, an electron, also called beta particle, and an electron antineutrino are emitted from the nucleus.

So remember

• alpha decay $\to$ occurs when the nucleus emits an alpha particle

color(red)(!) Here nothing is being converted inside the nucleus

• beta decay $\to$ occurs when the nucleus emits an electron and an electron antineutrino.

color(red)(!) Here a neutron is being converted into a proton and an electron