Question

Which type of radioactive decay does the equation model? a. beta-minus decay b. gamma decay c. beta-plus decay d. alpha decay

Answer 1

The equation models beta-plus decay, where a proton is converted into a neutron and a positron, along with a neutrino, is emitted from the nucleus.The correct option is C

The equation in question models beta-plus decay (c. beta-plus decay), which is a form of radioactive decay. In this process, a proton inside the nucleus is transformed into a neutron while emitting a positron (β+ or e+, which is the antiparticle of the electron) and a neutrino. Essentially, the nucleus emits a positive electron, or positron, which characterizes beta-plus decay. The atomic number (Z) decreases by one while the mass number (A) remains unchanged. This is in contrast to beta-minus decay where a neutron is converted into a proton, emitting an electron and neutrino, and alpha decay where an alpha particle is ejected from the nucleus. Gamma decay involves the emission of a photon and does not change the atomic or mass numbers.

Answer 2

Based on the presence of an emitted electron, the equation is most likely modeling beta-minus decay (a).

The equation you provided doesn't directly tell us which type of radioactive decay it models. However, we can analyze the equation to make some educated guesses:

The equation: X -> Y + e-

Components:

X: Represents the decaying nucleus.

Y: Represents the daughter nucleus after the decay.

e-: Represents an electron emitted during the decay.

Based on the presence of an emitted electron, we can eliminate options (c) and (d):

Beta-plus decay (c) involves the emission of a positron (e+) instead of an electron (e-).

Alpha decay (d) involves the emission of an alpha particle (α), which consists of two protons and two neutrons.

Now, we're left with options (a) and (b):

Beta-minus decay (a) involves the conversion of a neutron in the nucleus into a proton, along with the emission of an electron and an antineutrino. This process would be represented by the equation: n -> p + e- + ν.

Gamma decay (b) involves the emission of a gamma ray from an excited nucleus to a lower energy state. This process doesn't involve any change in the number of protons or neutrons, so it wouldn't be represented by the equation X -> Y + e-.