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Chapter 18: Problem 47

The radiation given off by iodine-131 in the form of beta particles is used to treat cancer of the thyroid gland.Write the nuclear equation to describe the decay of an iodine-131 nucleus.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The nuclear equation that describes the decay of an iodine-131 nucleus is\(^{131}_{53}\text{I} \rightarrow ^{131}_{54}\text{Xe} + ^{0}_{-1}\text{e}\)

Step by step solution

01

Understand beta decay

When an atom undergoes beta decay, it loses a neutron and gains a proton, with the emission of an electron (beta particle). The atom's atomic number increases by one, while the mass number (sum of protons and neutrons) remains the same.
02

Identify the initial atom

Iodine-131 is the initial atom, denoted as \(^{131}_{53}\text{I}\) where 131 is the mass number and 53 is the atomic number (number of protons).
03

Identify beta decay and find the final atom

After beta decay, the atomic number increases by one and mass number remains the same. This yields Xenon-131, denoted as \(^{131}_{54}\text{Xe}\), and a beta particle, represented as \(^{0}_{-1}\text{e}\).
04

Write the nuclear equation

The nuclear decay can be described by the following equation:\(^{131}_{53}\text{I} \rightarrow ^{131}_{54}\text{Xe} + ^{0}_{-1}\text{e}\). This equation indicates that Iodine-131 decays into Xenon-131 and a beta particle.

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