When a radioactive nucleus emits a β. particle, the proton-neutron ratio:
Correct answer: C. Increases
- A. Remains the same
- B. Decreases
- C. Increases
- D. Equals to 1
Explanation
Beta decay involves a neutron converting into a proton (and an electron, which is emitted). This increases the number of protons by one and decreases the number of neutrons by one, thus increasing the proton-to-neutron ratio.
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