Question

a. what happens to the decaying neutron during beta decay? b. what is emitted from the nucleus during beta decay? c. what is the mass number and charge of the emitted particle? mass number: 5 charge: ____ predict: during beta decay

Explanation:

Step1: Understand beta - decay of neutron

A neutron in the nucleus decays into a proton, an electron (beta - particle), and an antineutrino.

Step2: Answer part A

The decaying neutron changes into a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino. So the neutron itself is transformed.

Step3: Answer part B

During beta - decay, an electron (beta - particle) is emitted from the nucleus.

Step4: Answer part C

The particle emitted during beta - decay is an electron. The mass number of an electron is approximately 0 and its charge is - 1.

Answer:

A. It changes into a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino.
B. An electron (beta - particle)
C. Mass number: 0
Charge: - 1