Question

Iodine 131 (atomic number 53) commonly decays to xenon (atomic number 54). what type of decay does iodine undergo?

a. alpha decay

b. electron capture

c. gamma decay

d. beta decay

Answer 1

Iodine-131 undergoes beta decay to become xenon, with the emission of a beta particle (an electron) and sometimes a gamma ray. The correct answer is d. beta decay.

Step-by-step explanation:

Iodine-131 (atomic number 53) undergoes beta decay when it transforms into xenon (atomic number 54). In this process, iodine-131 emits a beta particle (an electron) and sometimes a gamma ray is emitted simultaneously. The balanced nuclear equation representing this decay is:
131I53 → 131Xe54 + 0−e1 (beta particle).
This is indicative of beta decay, as there is an increase in the atomic number by one, which occurs when a neutron in the iodine nucleus is converted into a proton, and an electron is emitted. The emitted beta particle is the electron noted in the equation.

Iodine-131 commonly undergoes beta decay. In beta decay, a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted from the nucleus. The balanced equation for the decay of iodine-131 is:

I-131 → Xe-131 + e-

The daughter isotope formed is xenon-131, and a gamma ray may also be emitted simultaneously with the beta particle.