Alpha radiation has the greatest change in atomic number as well as atomic mass.
How do alpha, beta, and gamma radiations change the atomic number and atomic mass?
Alpha decay:
²³⁸₉₂U → ⁴₂He + ²³⁴₉₀Th
The uranium atom (²³⁸₉₂U) changed into a thorium atom (²³⁴₉₀Th) during this nuclear reaction, releasing an alpha particle (⁴₂He) in the process.
The alpha particle has 2 protons that are lost by the Uranium atom. Mass number 4 represents the total number of protons and neutrons, i.e., the atomic mass.
There is a decrease in atomic number by 2 and in mass number by 4 in alpha decay.
Beta-decay:
²³⁴₉₀Th → ⁰₋₁e + ²³⁴₉₁Pa
The beta particle of radiation is the electron that is released from the nucleus.
There is an increase in atomic number by 1. No change in mass number.
Gamma radiation:
²³⁸₉₂U → ⁴₂He + ²³⁴₉₀Th + 2 ⁰₀γ
All kinds of nuclear processes frequently result in the creation of gamma rays. In addition to the alpha particle, two gamma rays with various energy are also released during the alpha decay of U-238.
There is no change in atomic number and mass number.
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