Question

Use the equation to answer hte prompt

10/6C>105B+0/+1e

A student claims that the equation models beta-minus decay because the atomic number of the nucleus decreases by one. What is the error in the student's reasoning.

The equation models a beta-minus
The student is incorrect because in beta-minus decay, the atomic number of nucleus increases by one
The student is correct.
This equation models a beta plus decay

Answers

GPT-4o mini
The correct interpretation is that the student is incorrect because, in beta-minus decay, the atomic number of the nucleus actually increases by one, not decreases.

In beta-minus decay, a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton, resulting in the emission of a beta particle (an electron) and an antineutrino. This results in the atomic number increasing by one while the mass number remains unchanged. Therefore, the correct answer is:

**The student is incorrect because in beta-minus decay, the atomic number of the nucleus increases by one.**