When an atom of the radioactive carbon isotope ¹⁴C decays into ¹⁴N (nitrogen), what happens in the nucleus of the atom? A) The nucleus of the carbon atom captures a nucleus of a hydrogen atom (a proton). B) A proton is ejected from the nucleus. C) A neutron becomes a proton. D) A neutron is ejected from the nucleus.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a carbon atom decays into a nitrogen atom, a neutron in the nucleus of the carbon atom changes into a proton. This process increases the atomic number by one, converting the element from carbon to nitrogen.

When an Atom of the Radioactive Carbon Isotope 14C Decays

When an Atom of the Radioactive Carbon Isotope ¹⁴C Decays