Question

Mercury-203 undergoes beta minus decay. 203 80 Hg → 203 81 Tl + ? The subatomic particle produced is a(n) . 203 80 Hg → 203 81 Tl + 0 -1 e Is this the correct balanced equation? .

Answer 1

1) Electron

2) Yes

Answer 2

A negative beta particle

Yes

Step-by-step explanation:

The incomplete equation of the reaction:

²⁰³₈₀Hg → ²⁰³₈₁Tl + ?

In order to balance nuclear equations, we must conserve the mass number and atomic number.

For the mass number; 203 = 203 + a

a = 0

Atomic number; 80 = 81 + b

b = -1

The unknown has no mass number but an atomic number of -1

This a negative beta particle and it is designated as ⁰₋₁e