Which of the following nuclides is most likely to undergo beta decay?

• A. Uranium-238 (U-238)
• B. Helium-4 (He-4)
• C. Cobalt-60 (Co-60)
• D. Carbon-14 (C-14)

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that beta decay occurs when a nucleus has an imbalance in its neutron-to-proton ratio, typically when there are too many neutrons compared to protons.
2. Recall that in beta decay, a neutron is converted into a proton while emitting a beta particle (an electron) and an antineutrino, which increases the atomic number by 1 but leaves the mass number unchanged.
3. Analyze each nuclide's neutron-to-proton ratio: calculate the number of neutrons by subtracting the atomic number from the mass number, then compare it to the number of protons (atomic number).
4. Identify which nuclide has a neutron-to-proton ratio that suggests it is neutron-rich and thus likely to undergo beta decay to achieve a more stable configuration.
5. Recognize that Carbon-14 (C-14) is well-known for undergoing beta decay because it has too many neutrons relative to protons, making it the most likely candidate among the options to undergo beta decay.