Question

32P has a very short half-life of 14 days and decays into sulfur as shown below. (32/15)P> (32/16) S + e- This nuclear reaction is an example of:

1) alpha decay
2) beta plus decay
3) beta minus decay
4) positron emission

Answer 1

The nuclear reaction (32/15)P > (32/16) S + e- is an example of beta minus decay.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nuclear reaction (32/15)P > (32/16) S + e- is an example of beta minus decay. In beta minus decay, an unstable nucleus emits a beta particle, which is an electron. In this case, the phosphorus-32 isotope undergoes beta minus decay and transforms into sulfur-32 by emitting an electron.