When an atom of the unstable isotope Na-24 decays, it becomes an atom of Mg-24 because the Na-24 atom spontaneously releases:

1. an alpha particle
2. a beta particle
3. a neutron
4. a positron

(2) a beta particle, because and atom "moves up" one place in periodic table, and such thing happens when beta decay occurs.

Answered by mackiemesser | 2024-06-10

A sodium-24 (Na-24) atom has atomic number 11 and mass 24, while a magnesium (Mg) atom has atomic number 12 and mass 24. Therefore the only change is that a particle with (-1) atomic number and (0) mass must have been released by Na-24 to get Mg-24. This description fits a beta particle, which has a (-1) atomic number and (0) mass.

Answered by Blitztiger | 2024-06-11

Sodium-24 decays into magnesium-24 through a process called beta decay, where a neutron transforms into a proton, emitting a beta particle (electron). As a result, the atomic number increases from 11 to 12 while the mass number remains the same. Therefore, the correct answer is option 2: a beta particle.
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Answered by Blitztiger | 2024-09-30