Question

In β− decay producing 137Ba, the parent nuclide is a major waste product of reactors and has chemistry similar to potassium and sodium. What is the parent nuclide in this decay?

a) 137Cs
b) 238U
c) 90Sr
d) 137Ba

Answer 1

The parent nuclide in beta minus decay producing 137Ba is 137Cs, which resembles potassium and sodium chemically and can accumulate in human cells if ingested.

Step-by-step explanation:

In β- decay that produces 137Ba, the parent nuclide is 137Cs (Caesium-137). This isotope undergoes beta minus decay, where a neutron is converted into a proton with the emission of an electron and an antineutrino.

One of the properties of Caesium-137 is that it chemically resembles potassium and sodium, which makes it a concern since it can accumulate in the human body if ingested, similar to how these elements function in biological systems.

The incorrect choices, such as 238U and 90Sr, undergo different types of radioactive decay and are not directly involved in the decay process to produce 137Ba.