(a) Which of the following nuclei decay by -1 βdecay? ^3 𝐇 ^16 𝐎 ^20 𝐅 ^13 𝐍 (b) Which of

step 1 We're likely to undergo beta decay if we have a mass number that is greater than the average mas

(a) Which of the following nuclei decay by -1 βdecay? ^3 𝐇 ...

(a) Which of the following nuclei decay by $-1 \beta$ decay? $$^{3} \mathbf{H} \quad^{16} \mathbf{O} \quad^{20} \mathbf{F} \quad^{13} \mathbf{N}$$ (b) Which of the following nuclei decays by $+1 \beta$ decay? $$^{238} \mathbf{U} \quad^{19} \mathbf{F} \quad^{22} \mathbf{N a} \quad^{24} \mathbf{N a}$$

(a) Which of the following nuclei decay by $-1 \beta$ decay?
$$^{3} \mathbf{H} \quad^{16} \mathbf{O} \quad^{20} \mathbf{F} \quad^{13} \mathbf{N}$$
(b) Which of the following nuclei decays by $+1 \beta$ decay?
$$^{238} \mathbf{U} \quad^{19} \mathbf{F} \quad^{22} \mathbf{N a} \quad^{24} \mathbf{N a}$$

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Key Concepts

Beta Decay

Beta decay is a nuclear process mediated by the weak force in which a nucleus emits a beta particle (either an electron or a positron) to help achieve a more stable proton-to-neutron ratio. This conversion process changes the composition of the nucleus without altering the total number of nucleons.

Beta Minus (?-) Decay

Beta minus decay occurs when a neutron in the nucleus converts into a proton while emitting an electron and an antineutrino. This decay mechanism increases the atomic number by one, and it typically occurs in nuclei with an excess of neutrons compared to protons, moving the nucleus toward a more stable configuration.

Beta Plus (?+) Decay

Beta plus decay involves the transformation of a proton into a neutron, along with the emission of a positron and a neutrino. This process decreases the atomic number by one, and it usually occurs in proton-rich nuclei as a pathway to achieve nuclear stability.

Nuclear Isotopes

Nuclear isotopes are variants of chemical elements that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. The differences in neutron number affect the stability of the nucleus and determine the modes of radioactive decay that the isotope might undergo. This concept is crucial for understanding how different isotopes can decay via beta minus or beta plus processes.

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