Question

Which missing item would complete this beta decay reaction for the isotope sulfur-33?

A) Phosphorus-33
B) Chlorine-33
C) Silicon-33
D) Argon-33

Answer 1

The missing item to complete the beta decay reaction of sulfur-33 is Chlorine-33, as the atomic number increases by 1 during beta decay and the mass number remains unchanged. Correct answer is B) Chlorine-33.

Step-by-step explanation:

The missing item that would complete the beta decay reaction for the isotope sulfur-33 is Chlorine-33. In beta decay, a neutron is converted into a proton and an electron (the beta particle) is emitted. The mass number stays the same, but the atomic number increases by 1.

Since sulfur has an atomic number of 16, after emitting a beta particle, the new atomic number will be 17 which corresponds to chlorine. Thus, the product of sulfur-33 (with atomic number 16) undergoing beta decay would be chlorine-33 (with atomic number 17). Correct answer is B) Chlorine-33.