What type of radioactive decay reduces the mass number of a nucleus? Explain how it works.

Alpha radiation reduces the mass number of an atom by 4. When an atom's nucleus is unstably large, it emits an alpha particle which consists of two neutrons and two protons. This is called alpha decay. Since both neutrons and protons have a mass of 1, the mass of the nucleus is reduced by the number of neutrons and protons that were emitted, which is 4.

FB

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Sophia (mass 47Kg) is travelling to the right with a velocity of 7.2m/s and ​Neesha (mass 68Kg) is travelling to the left with a velocity 4.8m/s. When ​they meet, they hold hands and travel off together. Give their final ​velocity and direction


What is the difference between speed and velocity?


Describe the transfers of energy occurring when a ball is thrown vertically up in the air and falls back down to Earth, assuming there is no friction from the air.


Calculate how much charge flows through a circuit with 6.0A of current in seven minutes?