Question #a9f0d

1 Answer
Stefan V.
Nov 2, 2017

""_19^41"K"

Explanation:

As you know, when a radioactive nuclide undergoes electron capture, an electron located in one of the inner shells is absorbed by the nucleus. In the process, a proton is converted to a neutron and an electron neutrino, nu_"e", is emitted.

So right from the start, the fact that a proton is being converted to a neutron tells you to things

In your case, calcium, "Ca", has an atomic number equal to 20, which means that the resulting nuclide will have

Z = 20 -1 = 19

The element that has an atomic number equal to 19 is potassium, "K". Since the mass number remains unchanged, you can say that the resulting isotope will be potassium-41.

So you can say that the nuclear equation that describes the electron capture of calcium-41 looks like this

""_ 20^41"Ca" + ""_ (-1)^(color(white)(-)0)"e" -> ""_ 19^41"K" + nu_ "e"

Notice that you have

  • 41 + 0 = 41 " "" "-> conservation of mass
  • 20 + (-1) = 19 -> conservation of charge
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