Question

a student claims that this equation models beta plus decay becaue the atomic number increases by one. in one or two sentances explain the students error

Answer 1

The student's claim is incorrect because beta-plus decay actually involves the conversion of a proton into a neutron, resulting in a decrease in the atomic number by one, while the atomic mass remains unchanged. In contrast, beta-minus decay increases the atomic number by one due to the emission of an electron and an antineutrino, which is likely what the student intended to reference.