Chapter 24.2, Problem 6PP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The balanced nuclear equation for the reaction in which oxygen-15 undergoes positron emission needs to be written.

Concept introduction:

Nuclear reactions are expressed by balanced nuclear reactions just as chemical reactions are expressed by balanced nuclear reactions. However, in balanced chemical equations, numbers and type of atoms are conserved but in nuclear equations, mass numbers and charges are conserved.

Answer to Problem 6PP

Positron emission of oxygen-15 is,

$\text{O}\to \text{N}\text{+}\text{e}$

Explanation of Solution

A positron equation is a radioactive decay process that involves emission of a positron from a nucleus. A positron is a particle having the equal mass as electron but possessing the opposite charge and is represented by $\text{β}\text{or}{\text{e}}^{+}$. During positron emission, a proton in the nucleus is converted into a neutron and a positron, and the positron is emitted.

In positron emission, positron is emitted and atomic number is decreased by 1 but no change is mass number takes place. Hence, positron emission of oxygen-15 is,

$\text{O}\to \text{N}\text{+}\text{e}$

Conclusion

In positron emission, atomic number is decreased by 1 but no change of mass number.