Question

1. which nuclear equation represents beta decay?

a. $_{13}^{27}al+_{2}^{4}he\to_{15}^{30}p+_{0}^{1}n$
b. $_{92}^{238}u\to_{90}^{234}th+_{2}^{4}he$
c. $_{6}^{14}c\to_{7}^{14}n+_{-1}^{0}e$
d. $_{18}^{37}ar+_{-1}^{0}e\to_{17}^{37}cl$

Explanation:

Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted from an atomic nucleus. In beta decay, the mass number of the nucleus remains the same, while the atomic number changes.

• Option A: This is an example of nuclear transmutation (a reaction where one element is converted into another by bombarding it with particles), not beta decay.
• Option B: This is alpha decay (emission of an alpha particle, which is a helium - 4 nucleus).
• Option C: Here, carbon - 14 (with atomic number 6) decays into nitrogen - 14 (atomic number 7) and emits a beta particle (\(_{-1}^0e\)). The mass number (14) remains the same, and the atomic number increases by 1, which is characteristic of beta decay.
• Option D: This is electron capture (a process where an electron is captured by a nucleus).

Answer:

C. \(_{6}^{14}C
ightarrow_{7}^{14}N + _{-1}^0e\)