Question
Use the equation to answer the prompt:
6
10
C→
5
10
B+
1
0
e
A student claims that the equation models beta minus decay because the atomic number of the nucleus decreases by one. In one or two sentences, explain the error.
6
10
C→
5
10
B+
1
0
e
A student claims that the equation models beta minus decay because the atomic number of the nucleus decreases by one. In one or two sentences, explain the error.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The student’s claim is incorrect because beta minus decay (β− decay) involves a neutron transforming into a proton, resulting in an increase in the atomic number by one—not a decrease. In the provided equation, the atomic number of the nucleus appears to decrease, which does not represent beta minus decay.