During radioactive decay of a nucleus zXA, β emission takes place along with the daughter nucleus. Because of this beta particle emission, the mass number (A) of the parent nucleus:
Elimination Tool
The number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus stays the same when a β particle is released, but the number of neutrons is reduced by one and the number of protons is increased by one.
A daughter nucleus Q with mass number A and atomic number Z+1 is created when a radioactive nucleus P with mass number A and atomic number Z emits a beta particle.
(a) There is no conservation of the atomic number Z. It has been raised by one.
(b) There is conservation of mass number A.
Outcome:
Thus, it is evident from the discussion above that mass number (A) does not increase or decrease following beta decay.
The number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus stays the same when a β particle is released, but the number of neutrons is reduced by one and the number of protons is increased by one.
A daughter nucleus Q with mass number A and atomic number Z+1 is created when a radioactive nucleus P with mass number A and atomic number Z emits a beta particle.
(a) There is no conservation of the atomic number Z. It has been raised by one.
(b) There is conservation of mass number A.
Outcome:
Thus, it is evident from the discussion above that mass number (A) does not increase or decrease following beta decay.