WAEC Chemistry 2010 Objective — Question 5

Question 5 of 49 from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Chemistry 2010 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation.

Which of the following equations represents beta decay?

A. A. ²³⁸₉₂U → ²³⁴₉₀Th + ⁴₂He
B. B. ¹⁴₇N + ⁴₂He → ¹⁷₈O + ¹₁H
C. C. ²³⁹₉₂U → ²³⁹₉₃Np + ⁰₋₁eCorrect
D. D. ¹³₇N + ⁴₂He → ¹⁶₈O + ¹₁H

Explanation

Beta decay is associated with an increase in atomic number by 1 and no change in mass number. ²³⁹₉₂U → ²³⁹₉₃Np + ⁰₋₁e correctly shows this pattern (mass number unchanged at 239, atomic number increases from 92 to 93).

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