Question

A nucleus ${}_{11}^{24}Na$ emits a beta particle to change into Magnesium $\left(Mg\right)$
(i) Write the symbolic equation for the process.

(ii) What are the numbers $24$ and $11$ called?

(iii) What is the general name of ${}_{12}^{24}Mg$ with respect to ${}_{11}^{24}Na$?

Answer 1

(i) ${}_{11}^{24}Na\to {}_{12}^{24}Mg+{}_{-1}^{0}e$

(ii) $11$ is the atomic number, $24$ is the mass number.

(iii) ${}_{12}^{24}Mg$ and ${}_{11}^{24}Na$ are isobars, as they have the same mass number.

Isobars are the atoms of different elements which have the same mass number, but differ in their atomic number.