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How is the atomic number of a nucleus change is it by alpha decay or beta decay or gamma decay?
The atomic number of a nucleus does not change in gamma decay since no particles are emitted. In alpha decay, the atomic number decreases by 2 and the mass number decreases by 4. In beta decay, the atomic number increases by 1 (due to conversion of a neutron to a proton) while the mass number remains the same.
How is the atomic mass number of a nucleus changed by alpha decay or by beta decay or by gamma decay?
The mass does not change much. The Atomic number will increase though.
When an unstable magnesium nucleus undergoes gamma decay the nucleus formed is that of what?
When an unstable magnesium nucleus undergoes gamma decay, it remains as a magnesium nucleus. Gamma decay does not change the atomic number or mass number of the nucleus, only releasing a gamma photon to reduce excess energy.
What happens to the atomic number when an isotope releases gamma radiation?
It depends on what caused the gamma event in the first place.Strictly speaking, gamma radiation is caused by the de-excitation of the nucleus, so the atomic number (and Atomic Mass) does not change during a gamma event.However, the gamma event is usually precipitated by some other event, such as a beta or alpha decay that does change the configuration of the nucleus. An alpha event reduces the atomic number by 2 (and reduces the atomic mass by 4), while the beta event increases the atomic number by 1 (and does not change the atomic mass very much).Its actually more complex than that, but the answer to the original question is that nothing really happens to the atomic number during a gamma event.
Is it possible for gamma decay to produce a new element?
No, gamma decay does not produce a new element. Gamma decay is the emission of gamma rays from a nucleus in an excited state to reach a lower energy state, but it does not change the identity of the nucleus and therefore does not create a new element. The atomic number and mass number remain the same during gamma decay.
