If the atomic number is # of protons, why does emission of a beta (electron) particle increase the atomic number? Atomic number: the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which is characteristic of a chemical element and determines its place in the periodic table.


Beta emission:

$$\ce{^14_6C -&gt; ^14_7N + ^0_{-1}\beta}$$

Why does emission of an electron increase the atomic number, when the atomic number is the number of protons, not electrons?
During beta particle emission one neutron is converted into proton and electron, to balance charge and electron can't remain inside the nucleus hence emitted from the nucleus.