Question

In beta decay
A. Both parent and daughter nuclei have the similar number of protons
B. The daughter nucleus has single proton less than the parent nucleus
C. The daughter nucleus has single proton more than the parent nucleus
D. The daughter nucleus has one neutron more than the parent nucleus

Answer 1

Hint: When dealing with nuclear reactions, several diverse kinds of reactions can occur, one of them is beta decay, which is when a neutron disintegrates into a proton and an electron.




Complete answer:
Beta Decay is a kind of radioactive decay where a proton turns into a neutron or vice versa within the nucleus of the radioactive sample. Processes such as beta decay and alpha decay enable the nucleus of the radioactive sample to get as close to the optimal neutron/ proton ratio. While doing so, the nucleus radiates a beta particle which can either be a positron or an electron. Hence there either a proton can change into a neutron or a neutron can change into a proton. The electron and the positron are created to comply with the law of conservation of charge. Beta-decay takes place through weak interaction. When beta decay takes place, the atomic number of the nucleus will rise by a single unit and the mass number will remain unchanged. Therefore, after beta decay, the daughter nucleus has a similar mass number as the product nuclei, and the single unit atomic number will increase more than the parent nuclei.
Therefore the correct answer is Option C.


Note: Beta decay is a radioactive decay where a beta ray is emitted from an atomic nucleus. During beta decay, the proton in the nucleus transforms into a neutron and vice versa. If a proton is transformed into a neutron, it is called beta plus decay. In the same way, if a neutron is transformed into a proton, it is called beta minus decay.