Rubidium ${}^{87}_{37}$ Rb is a naturally occurring isotope that undergoes β^- decay.What isotope is the product of this decay?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus is transformed into a proton, and a beta particle (electron) is emitted. The atomic number increases by 1, but the mass number remains the same. Therefore, for ${}^{87}_{37}$Rb undergoing beta decay, the product is ${}^{87}_{38}$Sr, as the atomic number increases from 37 to 38 while the mass number stays at 87.

Rubidium 3787{}^{87}_{37}3787​ Rb Is a Naturally Occurring Isotope That Undergoes β- Decay

Rubidium ${}^{87}_{37}$ Rb Is a Naturally Occurring Isotope That Undergoes β^- Decay