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predict a likely mode of decay for the following unstable nuclide: mo-109. a) β emission b) positron emission c) α decay

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Final answer:

The likely mode of decay for Mo-109 is beta emission (β emission), where a proton is converted to a neutron and a beta particle (electron) is emitted.

Step-by-step explanation:

The likely mode of decay for Mo-109 would be beta emission (β emission).Mo-109 has a neutron-to-proton ratio of only 1.05, which is much less than the requirement for stability for an element with an atomic number in this range. Nuclei that have low neutron-to-proton ratios decay by converting a proton to a neutron. In this case, beta emission occurs where a proton is converted to a neutron and a beta particle (electron) is emitted.

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