A nuclear reaction in which beta particles are emitted yields an atom that weighs 2 μ less than the starting element.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In a beta decay, a neutron in an atom's nucleus transforms into a proton, emitting a beta particle (electron or positron) and an antineutrino or neutrino. This process does not significantly change the mass of the atom, as the mass difference between a neutron and a proton is negligible, and the mass of the emitted beta particle is also very small. The atomic mass essentially remains the same, with the main change being an increase in the atomic number by one.

A Nuclear Reaction in Which Beta Particles Are Emitted Yields