Which of the following changes is characteristic of an alpha-particle emission?
Answer Details
An alpha-particle emission is characterized by the nucleus losing two protons and two neutrons. An alpha particle is a type of radiation that consists of two protons and two neutrons, which is equivalent to the nucleus of a helium atom. During alpha-particle emission, a nucleus will eject an alpha particle from its structure. This process causes the nucleus to lose two protons and two neutrons, which changes its atomic number and mass number. This type of radioactive decay occurs in heavy nuclei that are unstable due to having too many protons and neutrons, and it allows the nucleus to become more stable by reducing the number of particles in its structure.