156k views
4 votes
What is the equation for when an iron -53 goes through alpha decay and beta decay

User Odelya
by
7.9k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

β decay is a process in which a nucleus emits an electron.

The nuclear symbol for a β particle is

l

0

-1

e

.

In any nuclear equation, the sum of the subscripts (atomic numbers,

Z

) and the sum of the superscripts (atomic masses,

M

) must be equal on each side of the equation.

For the β decay of iodine 131, we have

131

53

I

l

M

Z

X

+

l

0

-1

e

Hence

131

=

M

+

0

, so

M

=

131

53

=

Z - 1

, so

Z

=

53

+

1

=

54

The element

X

with

Z = 54

is

Xe

.

So the equation is

131

53

I

131

54

Xe

+

l

0

-1

e

Note that in β decay, the product has the same mass number but an atomic number that has increased by 1.

User Nrutas
by
7.5k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.