The student's reasoning is incorrect because the equation actually represents beta-plus decay, not beta-minus decay; in beta-plus decay, a proton in the nucleus is converted into a neutron and a positron (the emitted particle), resulting in a decrease in the atomic number by one. In beta-minus decay, a neutron is converted into a proton while emitting an electron and an antineutrino, which would show an increase in the atomic number.
Use the equation to answer the question.
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 1–2 sentences, explain the error in the student’s reasoning and what the model actually represents.
1 answer
1 answer