Use the equation to answer the prompt.
10/6C—10/5B+_+0/1e
A student claims of the equation models beta-minus decay, because the atomic number of the nucleus decreases by one. In one or two sentences, explain the error in the student’s reasoning.
The error in the student's reasoning is that the given equation does not represent a nuclear decay process. The equation provided is a mathematical expression without any specific physical meaning or representation of a nuclear decay reaction.
The student's reasoning is incorrect because the equation provided does not represent a beta-minus decay. Beta-minus decay occurs when a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton, resulting in the emission of an electron and an antineutrino. The equation given does not involve any changes in the number of neutrons, protons, electrons, or antineutrinos.
To understand the error in the student's reasoning, let's break down the given equation: 10/6C—10/5B+_+0/1e.
First, the equation seems to represent a chemical reaction, not a nuclear decay reaction. The symbols "C," "B," and "e" typically represent elements in the periodic table, not radioactive isotopes involved in nuclear decay.
Additionally, the change in atomic number alone does not determine the type of radioactive decay. Beta-minus decay occurs when a nucleus emits an electron (e⁻) and converts a neutron (n) into a proton (p). While it is true that atomic number decreases by one in beta-minus decay, other factors such as the change in mass number and emission of other particles are crucial in distinguishing between different forms of decay. To properly identify the type of decay, we need more information about the isotopes involved in the reaction.