89.6k views
3 votes
When an atom undergoes alpha decay

1 Answer

6 votes
Are you asking for a specific atom or just the general definition?

The general definition of alpha decay is the loss of two protons and two neutrons from a nucleus. (Also equal to a helium atom!) This decreases the total mass number by 4 and the atomic number by 2.
User Andrei Papancea
by
7.8k points