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Write a balanced nuclear reaction for the beta particle decay of iodine-131 - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question 6 - 2012
Question 6
Write a balanced nuclear reaction for the beta particle decay of iodine-131. [See formulae and tables booklet, page 79.]
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Write a balanced nuclear reaction for the beta particle decay of iodine-131 - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question 6 - 2012
Step 1
Write the decay equation
Answer
The beta decay of iodine-131 involves the conversion of an iodine nucleus into a xenon nucleus. This can be expressed as:
u}$$ In this reaction, an iodine-131 atom emits a beta particle (electron) and becomes xenon-131. The emission of a beta particle increases the atomic number by one, changing iodine to xenon.