Question

The element tested 2 Beta decay. What will be the charge and mass number of the new element?

A) Charge: -1, Mass number: Remains the same
B) Charge: -1, Mass number: Decreases by 2
C) Charge: +1, Mass number: Decreases by 4
D) Charge: +1, Mass number: Decreases by 2

Answer 1

In beta decay, the charge of the new element will be +1, and the mass number will decrease by 2.

Step-by-step explanation:

Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a nucleus undergoes a transformation by emitting a beta particle. In beta minus (β-) decay, a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton, emitting an electron (β- particle) and an antineutrino. The atomic number of the nucleus increases by 1, resulting in a new element with a charge of +1.

The mass number of the new element remains the same because beta decay does not change the number of nucleons in the nucleus. Therefore, the correct answer is D) Charge: +1, Mass number: Decreases by 2.