Question

When the radioactive isotope manganese-54 (Mn-54) decays by electron capture, the following product nucleus is formed:

(A) Chromium-54 (Cr-54)
(B) Vanadium-54 (V-54)
(C) Iron-54 (Fe-54)
(D) Cobalt-54 (Co-54)

Answer 1

The radioactive isotope Mn-54 decays by electron capture to form Cr-54.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the radioactive isotope manganese-54 (Mn-54) decays by electron capture, the product nucleus formed is Chromium-54 (Cr-54).

In the decay process of Mn-54, an electron from the inner shell is captured by the Mn-54 nucleus, converting a proton to a neutron and forming Cr-54.

This can be represented by the nuclear equation:

54 Mn + -1 e --> 54 Cr