When a ⁸⁷Br nucleus emits a beta particle, the nuclear species that results is ___________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a nucleus emits a beta particle (a high-speed electron), the atomic number increases by 1 (because a neutron in the nucleus converts into a proton and an electron, the latter being emitted), but the mass number remains the same. Since the original nucleus is bromine-87 (Br-87), after emitting a beta particle, it becomes krypton-87 (Kr-87), as the atomic number of bromine is 35 and that of krypton is 36.

When a 87Br Nucleus Emits a Beta Particle, the Nuclear

When a ⁸⁷Br Nucleus Emits a Beta Particle, the Nuclear