481,079 views
13 votes
13 votes
Thorium emits a beta particle is it a chemichal or nuclear reaction

User Flyingturtles
by
2.1k points

1 Answer

7 votes
7 votes

Answer:

It is a nuclear reaction as Thorium here undergoes beta decay which is nuclear reaction

Step-by-step explanation:

Beta decay occurs when an unstable nucleus emits a beta particle and energy. A beta particle is either an electron or a positron. Positron can be considered as an anti-electron as it has a positive charge unlike electrons. When the beta particle is an electron, the decay is called beta-minus decay. When the beta particle is a positron, the decay is called beta-plus decay. Beta-minus decay occurs when a nucleus has too many neutrons relative to protons, and beta-plus decay occurs when a nucleus has too few neutrons relative to protons. Thorium undergoes beta minus decay and produces Actinium and an electron.

User Andrew Sumner
by
2.4k points