⁴⁰K undergoes nuclear decay to ⁴⁰Ar. Which decay process produces this product?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The given nuclear decay involves the conversion of a nucleus with the atomic number Z=16 to a nucleus with Z=18, which signifies a change in the number of protons in the nucleus. The only decay mode that can bring about this change is the emission of a beta particle (an electron or a positron) from the nucleus, which is represented by the decay modes 11ebff50_c8d3_2790_8da6_dd868478a129_TBX8714_11 or 11ebff50_c8d3_2791_8da6_b7d6e5f18490_TBX8714_00. However, the electron or the positron will be accompanied by an antineutrino or a neutrino, respectively, to conserve the total lepton number. Since the product nucleus is in an excited state, it will decay to the ground state by emitting a gamma ray, which is represented by the decay mode 11ebff50_c8d3_2790_8da6_dd868478a129_TBX8714_10 or 11ebff50_c8d3_2791_8da6_b7d6e5f18490_TBX8714_01. Therefore, the complete decay process involved in the given problem is 11ebff50_c8d3_2790_8da6_dd868478a129_TBX8714_10 or 11ebff50_c8d3_2791_8da6_b7d6e5f18490_TBX8714_01, followed by 11ebff50_c8d3_2791_8da6_b7d6e5f18490_TBX8714_00. The correct choice is C.

40K Undergoes Nuclear Decay to 40Ar

⁴⁰K Undergoes Nuclear Decay to ⁴⁰Ar