In problems 5.51 to 5.54, a nucleus is shown with protons and neutrons.
Draw the new nucleus when this isotope emits a positron to complete the following:

Question

In problems 5.51 to 5.54, a nucleus is shown with protons and neutrons.

Draw the new nucleus when this isotope emits a positron to complete the following:

Accepted Answer

Hello. In this problem, we are told the diagram below depicts the nucleus of a specific isotope which comprises both protons and neutrons. We are asked to provide the new nucleus formed if this isotope undergoes a positron emission. So we begin by writing, then the isotope notation for our specific isotope, we call the notation is A Z X where A is the mass number, which is equal to the number of protons plus the number of neutrons and is written as a superscript to the left of our element symbol Z then is the atomic number. It tells us then the number of protons and it is written as a subscript to the left of our element symbol and X is our element symbol. So writing the isotope notation for our original isotope counting up all of the particles of protons plus neutrons. It equals nine, counting up the number of protons which are shown in a orange shade that is equal to four. And we'll use the symbol for alma as X. This is then going to undergo positron emission. We have positron emission. Then a proton is being converted into a neutron which releases the positron positron then has the same mass as an electron with the opposite charge. So we'll be producing a positron and then a new isotope, when we determine the formula for the new isotope, we need to keep in mind the law of conservation of mass which is matter cannot be created or destroyed. So that means then that the sum of our mass number on the reactant side needs to equal the sum of our mass number on the product side. And the sum of the atomic number on the reactant side needs to equal the sum of the atomic number on the product side. So beginning with our mass number, we have nine on the reactant side and we have zero on the product side. So for these to be equal, then the missing isotope will have to have a mass number of nine as well. And then going to our tummy number on the reactant side, we have four. On the product side, we have plus one to make this equal four. Then the atomic number will have to be three. For our other isotope, we will give it a symbol of Y. And so when we draw then the diagram for our new nucleus, we again, keep in mind that through positron emission, we have a proton being converted into a neutron. That then means we will have one additional neutron. So we go from five to then six. And that means then we lose a proton And so we will go from to 3. So our new nucleus then shows one more neutron and one fewer proton than our original isotope. Thanks for watching. Hope this helped.

In problems 5.51 to 5.54, a nucleus is shown with protons and neutrons.
Draw the new nucleus when this isotope emits a positron to complete the following:
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Key Concepts

Positron Emission

Nuclear Structure

Isotopes