The beta decay of Na produces an isotope of ________.

Question

The beta decay of  Na produces an isotope of ________.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Beta decay involves the transformation of a neutron in the nucleus into a proton and an electron. The electron is emitted from the nucleus, while the proton remains in the nucleus. In this case, 11ea7a5e_3e91_d359_89bd_cd8a59a0b55a_TB5343_11 Na has an atomic number of 11, which means it has 11 protons. During beta decay, one of these protons is transformed into a neutron while emitting an electron. This results in an isotope with one less proton, which means the atomic number decreases by one. The only answer choice that fits this description is B) Mg, which has an atomic number of 12, one more than Na.

The Beta Decay of Na Produces an Isotope of ________