How do you write the nuclear equation for the beta decay of francium-223.?

1 Answer
Apr 18, 2016

#""_ 87^223Fr -> ""_ 88^223Ra + ""_ -1^0e + ""_ 0^0nu#

Explanation:

#beta#-decay is the decay of a neutron into a proton, which keeps the total mass the same, but increases the number of protons by #1#. #beta#-decay does this by releasing an electron, which conserves charge, and a neutrino.

Francium-223 has an atomic number of 87, so is written as

#""_ 87^223Fr#

If the atomic number then increases by #1# to become #88#, then it is a new element. Looking at the periodic table, element #88# is radium, #Ra#.

In the form of an equation, this is shown as

#""_ 87^223Fr -> ""_ 88^223Ra + ""_ -1^0e + ""_ 0^0nu#

You can check this is correct by adding up the top numbers on each side and equating them, and doing the same with the bottom numbers.

#223 = 223 + 0 + 0#
#87 + 88 + (-1) + 0#