During Beta Minus decay, which change occurs in the nucleus?

During Beta Minus decay, which change occurs in the nucleus?

• A. A Proton Becomes a Neutron
• B. A Neutron Becomes a Proton
• C. A Neutron Is Emitted
• D. A Proton Is Emitted

Answer: (B)

In beta minus decay, a neutron in the nucleus converts into a proton, with the emission of an electron (the beta particle) and an antineutrino. This changes the nucleus by increasing the number of protons by one (the atomic number goes up by 1) while the total number of nucleons stays the same (the mass number is unchanged). That’s why the correct description is that a neutron becomes a proton. The process does not involve emitting a free neutron or a free proton as the primary change, and it does not reduce the number of nucleons. The emitted beta particle is an electron, not a proton or neutron.

In beta minus decay, a neutron in the nucleus converts into a proton, with the emission of an electron (the beta particle) and an antineutrino. This changes the nucleus by increasing the number of protons by one (the atomic number goes up by 1) while the total number of nucleons stays the same (the mass number is unchanged). That’s why the correct description is that a neutron becomes a proton.

The process does not involve emitting a free neutron or a free proton as the primary change, and it does not reduce the number of nucleons. The emitted beta particle is an electron, not a proton or neutron.