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6.3 Nuclear equations and decay

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Question 42

Phosphorus-30 decays by beta-plus emission. The equation for the decay is

1530P→1430Si++10e {}^{30}_{15}\mathrm{P} \rightarrow {}^{30}_{14}\mathrm{Si} + {}^{0}_{+1}\mathrm{e} 1530​P→1430​Si++10​e

A student says, 'The silicon nucleus has a lower charge number than the phosphorus nucleus, so positive charge has disappeared during the decay.'

Explain why the student's statement is incorrect.

[2]
Markscheme

6.3 Nuclear equations and decay Questions

  1. GCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /6.3 Nuclear equations and decay

120 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Physics 6.3 Nuclear equations and decay, covering 6.3.1 Beta-minus and beta-plus decay, 6.3.2 Effects of decay on the nucleus, and 6.3.3 Balancing nuclear equations. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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