Chapter 17, Problem 46A

What element results if one of the neutrons in a nitrogen nucleus is converted by radio-active decay into a proton?

To determine

The resultant element.

Answer to Problem 46A

The resultant element is oxygen.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Nitrogen is the chief constituent of Earth’s atmosphere. It has $\text{7}$ protons and $\text{7}$ neutrons in its nucleus and hence it has atomic number $\text{7}$ and mass number $\text{14}$ . Chemical symbol of nitrogen is $\text{N}$ .

If one of the neutrons in a nitrogen nucleus is converted by a radioactive decay in to a proton then the resulting element has the proton number $\text{8}$ and neutron number $\text{6}$ . But the mass number remains same, that is $\text{14}$ . In order to convert neutron in to a proton atom must undergo beta-decay. That is the emission of electrons from the nucleus of an atom. Beta-decay doesn’t occur in $\text{N-14}$ . Because $\text{N-14}$ is very stable. It can occur in isotopes of nitrogen such as $\text{N-16}$ and $\text{N-17}$ that produces $\text{O-16}$ and $\text{O-17}$ respectively.