- #1
troy611
- 11
- 0
I have the following confusion:
In an alpha or beta decay, there's a change in the nucleus, i.e. there's a change in number of protons and neutrons, but there's no change in the number of electrons. So, how is it that the product is neutral?
To make this more clear,
Suppose U-238 (with 92 protons, 92 electrons, 146 neutrons) decays(alpha decay, i.e. helium nuclei is emitted) into Th-234 (90 protons, 144 neutrons). The confusion is: to be neutral, Th formed should have 90 electrons, but there are 92 electrons to start with...what happens to the other 2 electrons?
This applies to other decays as well...thank u for any help
In an alpha or beta decay, there's a change in the nucleus, i.e. there's a change in number of protons and neutrons, but there's no change in the number of electrons. So, how is it that the product is neutral?
To make this more clear,
Suppose U-238 (with 92 protons, 92 electrons, 146 neutrons) decays(alpha decay, i.e. helium nuclei is emitted) into Th-234 (90 protons, 144 neutrons). The confusion is: to be neutral, Th formed should have 90 electrons, but there are 92 electrons to start with...what happens to the other 2 electrons?
This applies to other decays as well...thank u for any help