Question

Question:

Answer 1

When an atom releases a beta particle,

the mass number decreases by one.
the mass number increases by one.
the atomic number increases by one.
the atomic number remains the same.

Answer 2

@JFraser

Answer 3

what is the isotopic symbol for a beta particle?

Answer 4

isn't it?

Answer 5

that's the one

Answer 6

now suppose an atom of carbon-14 undergoes beta decay

Answer 7

\[^{14}_{6}C \rightarrow ^0_{-1} \beta + ^A_Z?\]

Answer 8

in nuclear reactions, the \(total\) atomic number must be conserved, and the \(total\) mass number must also be conserved

Answer 9

oh okay

Answer 10

since the total atomic number \(must\) add up to 6, what must the other particle be to make the bottom "equation" true?

Answer 11

7?

Answer 12

since those are atomic numbers, what particle has an atomic number of 7?

Answer 13

nitrogen

Answer 14

and what about the mass number?

Answer 15

nitrogen atomic mass 14.00674

Answer 16

litium

Answer 17

you don't need the average mass of nitrogen, look at the mass numbers from the equation. What do they have to equal?

Answer 18

6

Answer 19

masses, not atomic numbers

Answer 20

14

Answer 21

very good

Answer 22

so the whole equation will look like:
\[\large{^{14}_{6}C \rightarrow \space ^{0}_{-1} \beta + \space ^{A}_{7}N}\]

Answer 23

yes

Answer 24

\[\large{^{14}_{6}C \rightarrow \space ^{0}_{-1} \beta + \space ^{14}_{7}N}\]

Answer 25

so now that you have a completed beta decay equation, you can answer the question

Answer 26

C?

Answer 27

the atomic number goes from 6 to 7, so it must increase by one

Answer 28

good job

Answer 29

thx