Net result to mass number and atomic number?

Question

Determine the net result to mass number and atomic number for each of the following processes:

1) alpha-particle production

2) beta-particle production

3) electron production

4) positron production

Answer 1

1) Mass number decreases by 4; atomic number decreases by 2.

2) Mass number stays the same; atomic number increases by 1.

3) Mass number stays the same; atomic number increases by 1. This is the same as beta-particle production except a beta particle has high kinetic energy. The electron might not have high kinetic energy.

4) Mass number stays the same; atomic number decreases by 1. This is the opposite of electron production.