Question

In alpha decay, does a neutron decay into a proton and an electron.?

Answer 1

No, not quite.

Explanation:

When a radioactive nuclide undergoes alpha decay, its nucleus of emits an alpha particle, which is essentially the nucleus of a helium-4 atom.

More specifically, an alpha particle contains `2` protons and `2` neutrons, which gives it a mass number of `4`.

Now, what you're describing in the question is actually very close to being a beta decay, also known as a beta minus decay.

When a radioactive nuclide undergoes beta decay, one of its neutrons in being converted into a proton. At the same time, an electron, also called beta particle, and an electron antineutrino are emitted from the nucleus.

So remember

• alpha decay `->` occurs when the nucleus emits an alpha particle

`color(red)(!)` Here nothing is being converted inside the nucleus

• beta decay `->` occurs when the nucleus emits an electron and an electron antineutrino.

`color(red)(!)` Here a neutron is being converted into a proton and an electron