Question

Loss of a beta particle
a) converts a neutron into a proton
b) has no effect on the nucleus
c)converts a proton into a neutron
d) causes the atomic number to decrease by 2
e) causes the mass number to decrease by four
I think there may be 2 answers or more; however, I'm not sure.

Answer 1

in nuclear reactions, total atomic # must be conserved. The beta particle has an atomic # of -1, which means there must be a companion particle with an atomic # of +1 in order to maintain the balance. The only way this can work is if a neutron "turns into" a proton and a beta particle, which is then ejected from the nucleus. \[_{0}n^{1} \rightarrow _{1}p^{1} + _{-1} \beta ^{0}\]
Notice that the sum of the atomic #s (on bottom) is constant for both reactants and products? So is the sum of the mass #s (on the top) is constant for reactants and products.