How does alpha, beta and gamma rays change the nucleus? Physics Subatomic Physics Nuclear Decay 1 Answer Antoine Apr 29, 2015 Alpha particles(#alpha#) decrease the mass number by #4# and decrease proton(atomic, #Z#) number by #2# Beta particles(#beta#) have no effect on mass number, however they increase the atomic number by #1# Gamma particles(#gamma#) have no effect on the nucleus of an atom. Answer link Related questions How does carbon 14 differ from carbon 12 and 13? Why radioactivity is a nuclear phenomenon? Is radioactivity spontaneous? What causes radioactivity? What causes nuclear decay? What are some examples of radioactive isotopes? How does nuclear decay affect the atomic number and mass number? How do alpha particles enter the human body? How is radioactivity used in the treatment of diseases? How is radioactive decay used in carbon dating? See all questions in Nuclear Decay Impact of this question 7048 views around the world You can reuse this answer Creative Commons License