What is the balanced nuclear equation for the beta decay of cesium-137

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The balanced nuclear equation for the beta decay of cesium-137 (\(^{137}_{55}Cs\)) can be represented as follows:

\[ ^{137}{55}Cs \rightarrow ^{137}{56}Ba + \beta^- + \bar{\nu} \]

In this equation:

  • \(^{137}_{55}Cs\) is the cesium-137 nucleus.
  • \(^{137}_{56}Ba\) is the barium-137 nucleus produced from the decay.
  • \(\beta^-\) represents the emitted beta particle (an electron).
  • \(\bar{\nu}\) represents the antineutrino released in the process.

This decay increases the atomic number by 1 (from 55 to 56) while the mass number remains the same (137).