A student was told to analyze the equation above. Which of the following answers has the correct analysis? (1 point) Responses This is beta minus decay because in in beta minus decay the atomic number of the nucleus increases by two. This is beta minus decay because in in beta minus decay the atomic number of the nucleus increases by two. This is beta plus decay because the atomic number of the nucleus decreases by one This is beta plus decay because the atomic number of the nucleus decreases by one This is beta-minus decay because the atomic number of the nucleus decreases by one. This is beta-minus decay because the atomic number of the nucleus decreases by one. This is beta plus decay because the atomic number of the nucleus increases by one This is beta plus decay because the atomic number of the nucleus increases by one Question 2 A physical science student was asked to come up with a true statement about the equation above. Which of the following would be the BEST choice for that student to correctly describe the equation pictured? (1 point) Responses This is a beta minus equation because the proton number goes from 6 to 7 and emits a negatively charged particle. This is a beta minus equation because the proton number goes from 6 to 7 and emits a negatively charged particle. This is a beta plus equation because the proton number increases from 6 to 7. This is a beta plus equation because the proton number increases from 6 to 7. This is a beta plus equation because the reaction releases a negatively charged particle. This is a beta plus equation because the reaction releases a negatively charged particle. This is a beta minus equation because the equation emits a positively charged particle This is a beta minus equation because the equation emits a positively charged particle Skip to navigation

Answer 1

To analyze the situation regarding beta decay, we first need to clarify the fundamentals of beta minus (β-) and beta plus (β+) decay:

1. Beta Minus Decay (β-): In this process, a neutron in the nucleus transforms into a proton while emitting an electron (beta particle) and an antineutrino. As a result, the atomic number of the nucleus increases by one (due to the gain of a proton), while the mass number remains unchanged.

2. Beta Plus Decay (β+): In this process, a proton in the nucleus transforms into a neutron while emitting a positron (the antiparticle of the electron) and a neutrino. This results in the atomic number of the nucleus decreasing by one (due to the loss of a proton), while the mass number remains unchanged.

Based on this understanding:

Question 1 Analysis: If the equation described is a beta minus decay, the atomic number should increase by one, not two. Therefore, the statement "This is beta minus decay because the atomic number of the nucleus increases by two" is incorrect. The correct statement should indicate an increase by one.

If it were correctly stated, it would be along the lines of "This is beta minus decay because the atomic number of the nucleus increases by one." Since none of the options provided are correct, it is impossible to determine which answer reflects the correct analysis without knowing what the equation actually is.

Question 2: For the best choice that describes the equation, if it is indeed a beta minus decay (as the student suggested), then:

• "This is a beta minus equation because the proton number goes from 6 to 7 and emits a negatively charged particle." is correct if the proton number indeed goes from 6 to 7.

The statement accurately reflects the process where the atomic number increases by one, with the emission of a negatively charged particle.

If the process were characterized properly, the following options could be ruled out, based on basic definitions:

• Any statement claiming an increase in proton number through a beta plus decay is incorrect.
• Statements about emission of positively charged particles in beta minus decay are also incorrect.

In summary:

• Question 1: Look for a correct analysis that supports an increase by one in the atomic number for beta minus decay.
• Question 2: The response identifying beta minus decay with a proton number change is the best choice, assuming the provided context is correct.