Question

Each of the following nuclides is known to undergo radioactive decay by production of a beta particle, 0.1e. Write a balanced nuclear equation for each process. (Use 'e' for an electron, p' for a positron, and 'n' for a neutron. Omit states-of-matter from your answer.) (a) 146C Help chemPad Greek (b) 14055Cs Help chemPad Greek. (c) 23490 Th Help chemPad Need Help? İ.med. Loen" l Submit Answer Save Progress

Answer 1

(a) ¹⁴₆ C ⇒ ¹⁴₇ N + ⁰₋₁ e

(b) ¹⁴⁰₅₅ Cs ⇒ ¹⁴⁰₅₆ Ba + ⁰₋₁ e

(c) ²³⁴₉₀ Th ⇒ ²³⁴₉₁ Pa + ⁰₋₁ e

Step-by-step explanation:

In a beta decay the nuclide emits a beta particle which are high enery electrons. The number of neutrons decreases by one and the atomic number increases also by one moving the nuclide one place to the right in the periodic table. The mass of the nuclide does not change since the mass of electron is negligible compared to the proton and neutron.

(a) ¹⁴₆ C ⇒ ¹⁴₇ N + ⁰₋₁ e

(b) ¹⁴⁰₅₅ Cs ⇒ ¹⁴⁰₅₆ Ba + ⁰₋₁ e

(c) ²³⁴₉₀ Th ⇒ ²³⁴₉₁ Pa + ⁰₋₁ e