Question

Confirm that charge, electron family number, and the total number of nucleons are all conserved by the rule for β− decay given in the equation AZXN→AZ−1YN−1+β−+νe. To do this, identify the values of each before and after the decay.

Answer 1

Charge, electron family number, and the total number of nucleons are all conserved in β− decay.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the given equation, AZXN → AZ−1YN−1+β−+νe, let's analyze the conservation of charge, electron family number, and the total number of nucleons before and after β− decay:

1. Charge: The sum of protons and the charge on the right side of the equation (AZ−1) is equal to the sum of protons and the charge on the left side of the equation (AZ).
2. Electron family number: The sum of electrons (1 on the right side) and the electron family number on the right side (AN−1) is equal to the sum of electrons (0 on the left side) and the electron family number on the left side (AN).
3. Total number of nucleons: The sum of nucleons on the right side of the equation (AZ−1YN−1) is equal to the sum of nucleons on the left side of the equation (AZXN).

This confirms that charge, electron family number, and the total number of nucleons are all conserved in β− decay.