Question

what happens in the nucleus during the loss of an alpha particle? converts a proton into a neutron causes the atomic number to increase by 2 causes the mass number to decrease by 4 converts a neutron into a proton

Explanation:

An alpha particle is composed of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. When a nucleus emits an alpha particle:

• The mass number (sum of protons and neutrons) decreases by 4 (since 2 protons + 2 neutrons = 4).
• The atomic number (number of protons) decreases by 2 (as 2 protons are lost).
• Conversion of proton to neutron or vice - versa is related to beta decay (not alpha decay).

Answer:

causes the mass number to decrease by 4