Question

Which answer shows a balanced nuclear equation for the beta decay of potassium-42?

Answer 1

Potassium undergoes beta (minus) decay to produce an electron and a calcium nucleus.

Answer 2

Answer:

$_{19}^{42}K --> _{20}^{42}Ca + \beta + \nu$

Explanation:

In Beta decay unstable nuclei will convert into stable nuclei by converting its neutron into an electron and a proton.

this process is given as

$n --> p + \beta + \nu$

so in this process mass number will remain same but atomic number will increased by 1

So the new nuclei is of higher atomic number

So we will have

$_{19}^{42}K --> _{20}^{42}Ca + \beta + \nu$

so above is the nuclear reaction