Question

During nuclear decay, a new isotope is created. How is the nucleus of the new isotope different from the parent if the parent isotope has undergone beta decay?

Answer 1

Answer:

It has one proton instead of a neutron (beta-minus decay) or a neutron instead of a proton (beta-plus decay)

Explanation:

- In a beta-minus decay, a neutron in the nucleus turns into a proton, emitting an electron and an anti-neutrino:

$n \rightarrow p + e^- + \bar{\nu}$

In this process, therefore, the final nucleus will have a proton instead of a neutron. This means that the atomic number Z (number of protons) will increase by one, while the mass number A (number of protons+neutrons) will remain the same.

- In a beta-plus decay, a proton in the nucleus turns into a neutron, emitting a positron and a neutrino:

$p \rightarrow n + e^+ + \nu$

In this process, therefore, the final nucleus will have a neutron instead of a proton. This means that the atomic number Z (number of protons) will decrease by one, while the mass number A (number of protons+neutrons) will remain the same.

Answer 2

Answer IS!!!.......The atomic number increases by 1 and the mass remains the same.