Question

Determine the isotope produced in the beta decay of iodine-131, an isotope used to check thyroid-gland function.

a) Iodine-131
b) Iodine-132
c) Xenon-131
d) Xenon-132

Answer 1

The isotope produced in the beta decay of iodine-131 is xenon-131.

Step-by-step explanation:

The isotope produced in the beta decay of iodine-131, which is used to check thyroid-gland function, is xenon-131. This nuclear reaction can be represented by the equation:

I-131 → Xe-131 + electron

During this process, an I-131 atom emits a beta particle, which is essentially an electron, and transforms into an atom of xenon-131. Therefore, the correct answer is c) Xenon-131.