Question

Compared to the parent nucleus, the daughter nucleus of a $\beta$ decay has:

• A. the same mass number but a smaller atomic number
  
• B. the same mass number but a greater atomic number
• C. a greater mass number but the same atomic number
• D. a smaller mass number but the same atomic number
  
• E. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

the same mass number but a greater atomic number

When beta decay occurs, the atomic number of nucleus will increase by one unit and mass number will remain same. Thus, here the after beta decay the daughter nucleus has same mass number as product nuclei and one unit atomic number will increase than parent nuclei.