What element does carbon-14 become after undergoing beta decay?

1 Answer
David G.
Mar 26, 2016

#""_6^14C# becomes #""_7^14N#. One more proton makes carbon, #C#, into nitrogen, #N#. The total number of nucleons (protons plus neutrons) remains the same.

Explanation:

Beta decay occurs when a neutron becomes a proton and an electron.

#""_0^1n to ""_1^1p + ""_(-1)^0e^-#

The electron is emitted as a beta particle, the proton remains in the nucleus.

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