In the beta decay of ¹⁴C,the existence of the antineutrino was required to maintain A)energy conservation. B)charge conservation. C)conservation of the number of nucleons. D)all of the above.

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The beta decay process involves the conversion of a neutron into a proton, emitting an electron (beta particle) and an antineutrino. Since the total energy before and after the decay should be conserved, the presence of the antineutrino is necessary to carry away the energy and momentum, balancing the decay equation. The decay does not involve any changes in the charge or number of nucleons, so choices B and C are not relevant.

In the Beta Decay of 14C,the Existence of the Antineutrino

In the Beta Decay of ¹⁴C,the Existence of the Antineutrino