Use the equation to answer the prompt.
10 6C→10 5B+ 0+1e
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 in the student’s reasoning.
1 answer
The student's claim is incorrect because in beta-minus decay, a neutron in the nucleus transforms into a proton, thereby increasing the atomic number by one. The given equation, however, shows the atomic number decreasing from 6 to 5, which actually indicates beta-plus decay or positron emission, where a proton transforms into a neutron and a positron (0+1e) is emitted.
2 answers