Final answer:
Transmutation is a change in an atom's identity caused by a change in the number of protons, which involves larger energies and can include the emission of alpha, beta particles, or gamma rays.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transmutation occurs when the resulting atom has a different number of protons than the initial atom had. This change in the number of protons, and therefore the atomic number, signifies a change in the identity of the element. Transmutation is a nuclear reaction that alters the atomic number of an atom, distinguishing it from chemical reactions which simply rearrange atoms without changing their nuclear composition. Nuclear reactions involve much larger energies and often result in measurable mass changes. Different types of radioactive decay such as alpha (α) particles, beta (β) particles, and gamma (γ) rays are examples of natural processes that can lead to transmutation.