Write the balanced nuclear reaction for the beta decay of carbon-14
The balanced nuclear reaction for the beta decay of carbon-14 is:
^14_6C → ^14_7N + e^- + νe
The balanced nuclear reaction for the beta decay of carbon-14 can be written as follows:
14/6 C -> 14/7 N + 0/-1 β
In this reaction, a carbon-14 nucleus (14/6 C) undergoes beta decay, resulting in the formation of a nitrogen-14 nucleus (14/7 N) and the emission of a beta particle (0/-1 β).
To write the balanced nuclear reaction for the beta decay of carbon-14, we need to understand the process of beta decay and its impact on the atom's nucleus.
Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (either an electron or a positron) is emitted from the nucleus, causing a change in the number of protons and neutrons.
Carbon-14 has 6 protons and 8 neutrons. During beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus of carbon-14 is converted into a proton. This leads to the formation of nitrogen-14, which has 7 protons and 7 neutrons.
The balanced nuclear reaction for the beta decay of carbon-14 can be written as:
^14C -> ^14N + e^-
Here, the arrow represents the decay process. The carbon-14 nucleus decays, emitting an electron (e^-) and transforming into a nitrogen-14 nucleus (^14N).
It's important to note that the balancing of the equation is based on the conservation of mass and charge. The sum of the atomic numbers (protons) and mass numbers (protons + neutrons) must be equal on both sides of the equation.