For example, Uranium 1 (now 235 U, atomic number 92) emits an α-particle and becomes Uranium X 1 (= 234 Th, atomic number 90), and this emits a β-particle and becomes Uranium X 2 (= 234 Pa, atomic number 91). The rules provide a way to understand the decay series and led to Soddy's proposal of isotopes to explain differing atomic weights …Web