Why does atomic number rise by 2 and mass number rise by 4 for alpha decay?

1 Answer
bunny
Jun 20, 2015

Unlike beta decay neutrons do not convert to electron and proton.

Explanation:

When an alpha particle is emitted from a nucleus the nucleus loses two protons and two neutrons . This means the atomic mass number decreases by 4 and the atomic number decreases by 2. A new element is formed that is two places lower in the Periodic Table than the original element.

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