When a nucleus emits a beta particle, its atomic number
A) decreases by 2.
B) increases by 2.
C) decreases by 1.
D) increases by 1.
E) none of these

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a nucleus emits a beta particle (a high-energy electron), its atomic number increases by 1 because a neutron in the nucleus is transformed into a proton, thereby increasing the atomic number by one unit.

When a Nucleus Emits a Beta Particle, Its Atomic Number