Question

clear decay, a new isotope is created. how is the nucleus of the new isotope different from the parent if the parent isotope has undergone beta
a the atomic number increases by 4 and the mass increases by 2.
b the atomic number increases by 2 and the mass decreases by 4.
c the atomic number increases by 1 and the mass remains the same.
d the atomic number remains the same and the mass decreases by 1.

Explanation:

Beta decay involves the transformation of a neutron into a proton and an electron (beta particle). The mass number (sum of protons and neutrons) remains the same because a neutron is converted to a proton (mass of neutron ≈ mass of proton). The atomic number (number of protons) increases by 1 as a new proton is formed.

Answer:

C. The atomic number increases by 1 and the mass remains the same.