Question detail
What is the atomic number change during beta decay? Use the electron shell context to keep Nuclear equations distinct from nearby atomic and nuclear radiation ideas.
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Atoms and nuclear radiation
Question
- A. It increases by 1 (nuclear equations 23)
- B. It decreases by 1 (nuclear equations 23)
- C. It remains unchanged (nuclear equations 23)
- D. It increases by 2 (nuclear equations 23)
Answer
The correct answer is It increases by 1 (nuclear equations 23).
Explanation
The correct answer is It increases by 1 (nuclear equations 23). It directly supports the learning objective: Balance mass numbers in nuclear equations.. In Nuclear equations, this is the best option because it matches the specific electron shell context; the other options mix up nearby ideas such as activity, count rate, isotope notation, radiation type, or nuclear-equation changes.
Common mistake
Common Mistake in Balancing Nuclear Equations
Students often forget to balance both the mass number and atomic number when writing nuclear equations, leading to incorrect representations of decay processes.
Always check that the sum of the mass numbers and the sum of the atomic numbers on both sides of the equation are equal. Practice with examples to reinforce this skill.
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