How does the ratio of protons to neutrons change as the mass of the nuclei increases?
Why? The ratio of protons to neutrons changes proportionally until it reaches a certain level. That certain level is when the atomic number is 30 or 40. When it reaches this level, the ratio of neutrons to protons grows. It does so due to the fact that more neutrons have to be in the nucleus to be able to overcome the electric repulsion due to the protons. 7. What is (a) an alpha particle, (b) a beta particle, (c) a gamma particle? (a) an alpha particle: the particle given off in alpha decay. It is a helium nucleus with 2 protons and 2 neutrons. It has an atomic weight of 4 and an atomic number of 2. Rutherford first used alpha decay to discover are there smaller bits of matter. (b) a beta particle: a particle given off in the radioactive beta decay. It releases a positron, the antiparticle of an electron, or an electron. (c) a gamma particle: a high-energy photon. Given off to bring down an excited nucleus down to a lower level. 8. What is meant by the half life of an isotope? What is
