Question

40K decays by positron emission. Balance the following nuclear equation by giving the mass number, atomic number, and element symbol for the missing species.

? + e

Answer 1

While balancing the nuclear reactions the sum of the atomic numbers of the reactants is equal to the sum of the atomic numbers of the products.

Simillarly the sum of the atomic masses of the reactants is equal to the sum of the atomic masses of the products.

The balanced equation is \({ }_{19} \mathrm{~K}^{40} \rightarrow{ }_{18} \mathrm{Ar}^{40}+{ }_{+1} \mathrm{e}^{0}\)