How does the nucleus change in beta-plus decay?(1 point)
Responses
The mass number remains the same, and the atomic number increases by one.
The mass number remains the same, and the atomic number increases by one.
The mass number remains the same, and the atomic number decreases by one.
The mass number remains the same, and the atomic number decreases by one.
The mass number increases by one, and the atomic number remains the same.
The mass number increases by one, and the atomic number remains the same.
The mass number decreases by one, and the atomic number remains the same.
The correct response is: The mass number remains the same, and the atomic number decreases by one.
The correct answer is:
The mass number remains the same, and the atomic number decreases by one.
Beta-plus decay, also known as positron emission, is a type of radioactive decay where a proton in the nucleus is converted into a neutron, resulting in the emission of a positron (a positively charged electron) and a neutrino.
To determine how the nucleus changes in beta-plus decay, we need to compare the number of protons (atomic number) and the number of nucleons (mass number) before and after the decay.
In beta-plus decay, a proton is lost, which means the number of protons decreases by one. Therefore, the atomic number of the nucleus decreases by one.
However, the number of nucleons (protons + neutrons) remains the same because only a proton is converted into a neutron. Hence, the mass number remains unchanged.
So, in summary, in beta-plus decay, the mass number remains the same, and the atomic number decreases by one.