Question

what is the daughter nuclide when potassium-40 under goes beta decay.
chlorine-36
calcium-40
potassium-39
calcium-39
argon-40

Explanation:

In beta - decay, a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton, an electron (beta - particle), and an antineutrino. Potassium (K) has an atomic number of 19. When potassium - 40 undergoes beta - decay, the number of protons increases by 1 while the mass number remains the same. The element with an atomic number of 20 is calcium (Ca). So the daughter nuclide is calcium - 40.

Answer:

B. calcium - 40