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QPage 440: Q8: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 The Nucleus Page 440: Q8 Solution: In beta decay, an electron or a positron) is emitted by a…

⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls

Students often assume the atom stays neutral because an electron leaves, overlooking that beta‑minus decay converts a neutron into a proton, increasing the nuclear charge by +1 while the electron count remains unchanged; thus the daughter atom becomes positively charged, not oppositely charged.

In beta decay, an electron or a positron) is emitted by a nucleus. Does the remaining atom get oppositely charged?

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

**Answer:** No, the remaining atom does not get oppositely charged. **Step-by-Step Explanation:** In beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus converts into a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino. The emitted electron leaves the atom, but the nucleus now has one more proton (atomic number increases by 1). The atom's **number of orbital electrons** remains unchanged. Since the number of protons has increased by one, the atom actually becomes **positively charged** (it is now an ion of the new element). The remaining atom does not get oppositely charged[citation:4][citation:11].

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