What happens during radioactive decay?
a. the isotope gains electrons
b. the isotope loses electrons
c. the nucleus gains electrons
d. the nucleus loses particles and/or energy

In alpha decay, the nucleus loses two protons. In beta decay, the nucleus either loses a proton or gains a proton. In gamma decay, no change in proton number occurs, so the atom does not become a different element. ... If it loses two protons through alpha decay, it will have 82 protons.