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JAMB Physics 2014 Paper

Question : 35

Total: 41

When an atom undergoes a beta decay, the atomic number of the nucleus

Solution:

Concept:

In beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus changes into a proton and an electron is emitted.

Explanation:

Beta decay can be represented as:

{}_{Z}^{A}\mathrm{X} \rightarrow \; {}_{Z+1}^{A}\mathrm{Y} + \; {}_{-1}^{0}e

The atomic number

Z

increases by 1, while the mass number

A

remains the same.

Therefore, the atomic number of the nucleus increases by one.

Answer:

C. Increases by one

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