A detector is used to analyse radiation emitted by two unstable nuclei.

sample	element	number of protons	number of neutrons	mass number of emitted particle	charge of emitted particle
J	silicon	14	17	0	−1
K	potassium	19	19	0	+1

An element with 15 protons is phosphorus. An element with 18 protons is argon.

A student makes two conclusions.

In both samples, the daughter nucleus has one fewer neutron than the parent nucleus.
The equations are balanced because the emitted particles have a mass number of 0, so there is no need to check charge.

Explain whether the student's conclusions are correct. Include a balanced nuclear equation for each sample.

A detector is used to analyse radiation emitted by two unstable nuclei.

sample	element	number of protons	number of neutrons	mass number of emitted particle	charge of emitted particle
J	silicon	14	17	0	−1
K	potassium	19	19	0	+1

An element with 15 protons is phosphorus. An element with 18 protons is argon.

A student makes two conclusions.

In both samples, the daughter nucleus has one fewer neutron than the parent nucleus.
The equations are balanced because the emitted particles have a mass number of 0, so there is no need to check charge.

Explain whether the student's conclusions are correct. Include a balanced nuclear equation for each sample.

6.3 Nuclear equations and decay

6.3 Nuclear equations and decay Questions