Question

Tungsten (W), with a mass number of 185 and an atomic number of 74, decays by beta emission. Identify the product of the nuclear reaction by providing its atomic symbol (5 pts), mass number (5 pts), and atomic number (5 pts)

Answer 1

Question # 29226

Decay by $\beta^{-}$, which Tungsten-185 undergoes, emits an electron thus taking the atomic number of the daughter nucleus up one elementary charge; and a neutrino to balance the lepton number.

The reaction is:

$${}^{185}_{74}W \rightarrow {}^{185}_{75}Re + e^{-} + \bar{\nu_{e}}$$

The product is Rhenium (Re), with mass number 185 and atomic number 75.