select the correct answer. use the periodic table to determine what element cesium - 135 ($_{55}^{135}$cs)…

select the correct answer. use the periodic table to determine what element cesium - 135 ($_{55}^{135}$cs) becomes after beta decay. a. $_{55}^{135}$cs b. $_{53}^{131}$i c. $_{57}^{139}$la d. $_{56}^{135}$ba e. $_{54}^{135}$xe
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Recall beta - decay process
In beta - decay, a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton and an electron (beta particle). The atomic number (number of protons) increases by 1 while the mass number (sum of protons and neutrons) remains the same.
Step2: Identify initial atomic number and mass number of cesium - 135
Cesium ($Cs$) has an atomic number of 55 and a mass number of 135 in $_{55}^{135}Cs$.
Step3: Determine the new atomic number after beta - decay
After beta - decay, the atomic number increases by 1. So the new atomic number is $55 + 1=56$.
Step4: Find the element with the new atomic number
Looking at the periodic table, the element with atomic number 56 is barium ($Ba$). The mass number remains 135. So the resulting element is $_{56}^{135}Ba$.
Answer:
D. $_{56}^{135}Ba$