Rubidium ${ } _ { 37 } ^ { 87 } \mathrm { Rb }$ is a naturally occurring isotope that undergoes $\beta ^ { - }$decay. What isotope is the product of this decay?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In $\beta^-$ decay, a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton, and an electron (the beta particle) is emitted. The atomic number increases by 1, but the mass number remains the same. Therefore, ${ } _ { 37 } ^ { 87 } \mathrm { Rb }$ becomes ${ } _ { 38 } ^ { 87 } \mathrm { Sr }$.

Rubidium 3787Rb{ } _ { 37 } ^ { 87 } \mathrm { Rb }3787​Rb

Rubidium ${ } _ { 37 } ^ { 87 } \mathrm { Rb }$