Scandium ${ } _ { 21 } ^ { 43 }$ Sc decays by emitting a positron. What isotope is the product of this decay?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a positron is emitted in a nuclear reaction, the atomic number decreases by one, but the mass number remains the same. Therefore, ${ } _ { 21 } ^ { 43 }$ Sc decays to ${ } _ { 20 } ^ { 43 }$ Ca. However, there's a mistake in the options provided; none directly match the expected outcome of ${ } _ { 20 } ^ { 43 }$ Ca. The closest option based on the process described is D, but it incorrectly lists the mass number as 44 instead of 43. This seems to be a typographical error in the question options.

Scandium 2143{ } _ { 21 } ^ { 43 }2143​

Scandium ${ } _ { 21 } ^ { 43 }$