What type of radiation is emitted when K-38 decays into Ca-38?
K-38 is element 19. It has 19 protons. So it has 38 - 19 = 19 neutrons.
Ca-38 is element 20. It has 20 protons. So it has 38 - 20 = 18 neutrons.
Ca-38 has gained a proton and lost a neutron. So a neutron must have decayed into a proton.
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To determine the type of radiation emitted when K-38 decays into Ca-38, we need to look at the change in atomic number (Z) and mass number (A) between the two elements.
K-38 (potassium-38) has an atomic number of 19 and a mass number of 38, while Ca-38 (calcium-38) has an atomic number of 20 and a mass number of 38.
When the atomic number changes, it indicates that a different element is formed. In this case, since the atomic number increases by 1, it means that a beta particle ( β-) is emitted during the decay.
Therefore, the type of radiation emitted when K-38 decays into Ca-38 is beta radiation (β-).