Question

Whether or not the process is observed in Nature, which of the following could account for the transformation of carbon-10 to boron-10? A) Alpha decay B) Beta decay C) Positron emission D) Electron capture E) C and D are both possible.

Answer 1

The transformation of carbon-10 to boron-10 could be accounted for by positron emission and electron capture, which are processes that decrease the atomic number while leaving the atomic mass unchanged.

Step-by-step explanation:

To account for the transformation of carbon-10 to boron-10, we must consider the mechanisms that can change the atomic number without altering the atomic mass significantly. The process of beta decay typically involves the transformation of a neutron into a proton within the nucleus and the emission of an electron (or beta particle). However, beta minus decay (ß- decay) increases the atomic number, so it cannot account for the transformation from carbon to boron, as carbon has a higher atomic number than boron.

Alternatively, positron emission and electron capture are processes that decrease the atomic number by one without changing the mass number. In positron emission, a proton in the nucleus is converted into a neutron and a positron, which is then emitted. In electron capture, an orbital electron is absorbed by the nucleus, converting a proton into a neutron. Both of these processes would result in the conversion of carbon-10 to boron-10.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question on how carbon-10 could transform into boron-10 is E) C and D are both possible, meaning that both positron emission and electron capture can account for this nuclear transformation.

Answer 2

Only options C and D, Positron emission and Electron capture, can account for the transformation of carbon-10 to boron-10.

Step-by-step explanation:

A) Alpha decay: In alpha decay, an alpha particle, which is a helium nucleus containing two protons and two neutrons, is released from the nucleus. This process would decrease the atomic number by 2 and the mass number by 4. Therefore, alpha decay cannot transform carbon-10 (atomic number 6, mass number 10) to boron-10 (atomic number 5, mass number 10).

B) Beta decay: In beta decay, a beta particle, which can be either an electron (β⁻) or a positron (β⁺), is emitted from the nucleus. Beta decay can result in either an increase or decrease in atomic number by 1, depending on the type of beta particle emitted. However, the mass number remains unchanged. Therefore, beta decay cannot transform carbon-10 to boron-10.

C) Positron emission: In positron emission, a positron (β⁺), which is the antiparticle of an electron, is emitted from the nucleus. This process results in a decrease in atomic number by 1 and no change in mass number. Therefore, positron emission can transform carbon-10 (atomic number 6, mass number 10) to boron-10 (atomic number 5, mass number 10).

D) Electron capture: In electron capture, an electron from the inner electron shell of the atom is captured by the nucleus. This process also results in a decrease in atomic number by 1 and no change in mass number. Therefore, electron capture can also transform carbon-10 to boron-10.

E) C and D are both possible: As both Positron emission and Electron capture can explain the transformation of carbon-10 to boron-10, option E is also correct.

Therefore, the only options that could account for the transformation of carbon-10 to boron-10 are C) Positron emission and D) Electron capture and E) C and D are both possible.