When a beta particle is emitted from the nucleus, then which statement is correct:

a) The mass number of the nucleus will increase

b) The mass number of the nucleus will decrease

c) The number of protons will increase

d) The number of protons will decrease

Question

Question

Answer 1

CONCEPT:

Beta-decay:

In beta decay, a neutron is transformed to yield a proton causing an increase in the atomic number of the atom.
- The neutron is neutral but the proton is positive.
- To maintain conservation of charge, the nucleus in the process also produces an electron and an antineutrino.
- Antineutrino is the antimatter counterpart of neutrino. Both of these are neutral particles with little mass.
- They interact with matter very weakly and can even pass through the entire earth without being disturbed.
In beta minus decay, the change in atomic configuration is,

\(\Rightarrow _{Z}^{A}\textrm{X}=_{Z+1}^{A}\textrm{Y}+e^{-}+\nu\)

EXPLANATION:

The emission of the β particle will lead to an increase in 1 unit of atomic number and no change occurs in the mass of the atom.
Since 1 unit of atomic number increases, so the number of protons will increase when β decay occurs.
Hence, option 4 is correct.