Beta particle emission occurs when the ratio of neutrons to protons in the nucleus is __________.

too low to be stable

too high to be stable

exactly even and thus unstable

not exactly balanced

Question

Beta particle emission occurs when the ratio of neutrons to protons in the nucleus is __________.

 
   
too low to be stable
 
   
too high to be stable
 
   
exactly even and thus unstable
 
   
not exactly balanced

joannablackwelder · Answer

http://www.muldoonshealthphysicspage.com/beta_particle_radiation.htm

joannablackwelder · Answer

Assuming they mean beta (-) decay, what do you think with the info at that link?

anonymous · Answer

too low to be stable?

joannablackwelder · Answer

An excess of neutrons in an atom's nucleus will make it unstable, and a neutron is converted into a proton to change this ratio. During this process, a ß particle is released, and it has the same mass and charge as an electron.

anonymous · Answer

So the third one?

joannablackwelder · Answer

No, when there are an excess of neutrons, that makes the neutron to proton ratio high.

anonymous · Answer

Too high to be stable?

joannablackwelder · Answer

Right