Understanding Beta Decay
Beta decay involves the emission of a beta particle (an electron), which is represented as β⁻. In this process, a neutron within the nucleus transforms into a proton, increasing the atomic number by one.
The Equation
* Parent Nuclide: Zirconium-97 (⁹⁷Zr)
* Daughter Nuclide: The atomic number increases by one, transforming zirconium (atomic number 40) into niobium (atomic number 41). The mass number remains the same.
* Beta Particle: ⁻¹β
The balanced equation is:
⁹⁷Zr → ⁹⁷Nb + ⁻¹β
