Write a nuclear equation for the indicated decay of each nuclide.

b. Ac-227 (beta)

Video transcript

Hello, everyone. Today, we have the following problem. You have the complete nuclear equation for the beta decay reaction of magnesium. So beta decay occurs when an unstable nucleus emits an electron. And it has the symbol of the following. So the number at the bottom left signifies the mass of the electron. And the zero signifies that there is no atomic number associated with an electron. So in the case of this magnesium, we will draw up the symbol which is mg, the mass is 28. So that goes at the top left and then the atomic number goes at the bottom left. And according to the periodic table, the atomic number for magnesium is 12. We draw our reaction arrow and of course, we have the symbol of the electron and we ask ourselves, what can we add essentially to this electron to get the numbers on the left? So we know that the number on the top will not change, but the number on the bottom will have to be 13 because 13 subtracted by one is 12. And if we look at the periodic table, the atomic number that is associated with 13 is aluminum And if we look at our answer choices, we can get rid of intero A and we can get rid of answer choices, B and D leaving us with answer choice, C as our answer. And with that, we have solved the problem overall, I hope is helped. And until next time.