Question
The beta minus decay process 13 7N→13 6C+β−+ν¯¯¯ is proposed in which nitrogen’s proton becomes a neutron. The process is not possible because:(1 point) Responses the lepton number is not conserved the lepton number is not conserved the number of baryons is not conserved the number of baryons is not conserved charge conservation is not satisfied charge conservation is not satisfied the number of protons has changed while the number of neutrons has not
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The decay process \(^{13}_{7}\text{N} \rightarrow {}^{13}_{6}\text{C} + \beta^- + \overline{\nu}\) is actually a valid beta minus decay process, as it conserves both charge and baryon number. In this reaction, a proton in the nitrogen nucleus is converted into a neutron, which results in a carbon nucleus, the emission of a beta particle (an electron), and an antineutrino.
To address why this decay might be proposed as "not possible," one could argue as follows:
1. **Charge Conservation:** The process conserves charge. Nitrogen has 7 protons and 6 protons in carbon, while the beta particle (electron) carries a charge of -1, resulting in a total charge of 0 before and after the decay.
2. **Baryon Number Conservation:** The baryon number remains unchanged. Both nitrogen and carbon are nucleons with a baryon number of 1.
3. **Lepton Number Conservation:** The lepton number is conserved. Before the decay, there are no leptons (the neutron and proton are baryons), and after the decay, we have the emitted beta particle (lepton) and an antineutrino (also a lepton).
4. **Change in Nucleon Composition:** The number of protons decreases by 1, and the number of neutrons increases by 1, meaning there is a change in nucleon composition consistent with beta decay.
If the reaction were stated as "not possible," it might be misrepresented, as each conservation law holds true in this beta decay scenario. Without further context, it seems incorrect to reject this decay based on the laws of conservation in particle physics.
In terms of errors in the proposed decay, since no specific statement is entirely correct for claiming it’s not possible, it is generally accepted as a valid decay. If you needed to select one reason that might be used to argue against it in a comparative way, the statement "charge conservation is not satisfied" could effectively invoke skepticism since decays need careful scrutiny—but this decay does not actually present such issues. Hence, the decay is indeed possible under established physical laws.
To address why this decay might be proposed as "not possible," one could argue as follows:
1. **Charge Conservation:** The process conserves charge. Nitrogen has 7 protons and 6 protons in carbon, while the beta particle (electron) carries a charge of -1, resulting in a total charge of 0 before and after the decay.
2. **Baryon Number Conservation:** The baryon number remains unchanged. Both nitrogen and carbon are nucleons with a baryon number of 1.
3. **Lepton Number Conservation:** The lepton number is conserved. Before the decay, there are no leptons (the neutron and proton are baryons), and after the decay, we have the emitted beta particle (lepton) and an antineutrino (also a lepton).
4. **Change in Nucleon Composition:** The number of protons decreases by 1, and the number of neutrons increases by 1, meaning there is a change in nucleon composition consistent with beta decay.
If the reaction were stated as "not possible," it might be misrepresented, as each conservation law holds true in this beta decay scenario. Without further context, it seems incorrect to reject this decay based on the laws of conservation in particle physics.
In terms of errors in the proposed decay, since no specific statement is entirely correct for claiming it’s not possible, it is generally accepted as a valid decay. If you needed to select one reason that might be used to argue against it in a comparative way, the statement "charge conservation is not satisfied" could effectively invoke skepticism since decays need careful scrutiny—but this decay does not actually present such issues. Hence, the decay is indeed possible under established physical laws.