What mode of radioactive decay is most likely for the na-20 isotope?

Question

Melissa Chen

Chemistry

2 May, 11:03

What mode of radioactive decay is most likely for the na-20 isotope?

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Answers (1)

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Chandler Ross · Answer 1

Answer is: beta plus decay (75%).

Nuclear reaction: ²⁰Na → ²⁰Ne + e⁺ (positron) + ve (electron neutrino).

Beta decay is radioactive decay in which a beta ray and a neutrino are emitted from an atomic nucleus.

There are two types of beta decay: beta minus and beta plus.

In beta plus decay, a proton is converted to a neutron and positron and an electron neutrino, so mass number does not change.

In beta minus decay, neutron is converted to a proton and an electron and an electron antineutrino.