Question

Which answer shows a balanced nuclear equation for the beta decay of potassium-42?

Answer 1

Potassium undergoes beta (minus) decay to produce an electron and a calcium nucleus.

Answer 2

`_(19)^(42)K --> _(20)^(42)Ca + \beta + \\u`

Step-by-step explanation:

In Beta decay unstable nuclei will convert into stable nuclei by converting its neutron into an electron and a proton.

this process is given as

`n --> p + \beta + \\u`

so in this process mass number will remain same but atomic number will increased by 1

So the new nuclei is of higher atomic number

So we will have

`_(19)^(42)K --> _(20)^(42)Ca + \beta + \\u`

so above is the nuclear reaction