Let's analyze the given nuclear equation step by step:
[tex]\[
{ }_8^{15} O \longrightarrow { }_7^{15} N + { }_{+1}^0 e
\][/tex]
Here we have an oxygen nucleus ([tex]\( { }_8^{15} O \)[/tex]) transforming into a nitrogen nucleus ([tex]\( { }_7^{15} N \)[/tex]) while emitting a particle ([tex]\( { }_{+1}^0 e \)[/tex]).
1. Subatomic Particles Analysis:
- The subscript in each notation represents the atomic number (number of protons).
- The superscript represents the mass number (total number of protons and neutrons).
2. Initial Nucleus: [tex]\( { }_8^{15} O \)[/tex]
- Atomic number ([tex]\(Z\)[/tex]) = 8 (indicating 8 protons).
- Mass number ([tex]\(A\)[/tex]) = 15 (indicating the total number of protons and neutrons).
3. Final Nucleus: [tex]\( { }_7^{15} N \)[/tex]
- Atomic number ([tex]\(Z\)[/tex]) = 7 (indicating 7 protons).
- Mass number ([tex]\(A\)[/tex]) = 15 (total number of protons and neutrons remains the same).
4. Emitted Particle: [tex]\( { }_{+1}^0 e \)[/tex]
- This is a positron, which has an atomic number of +1 and a mass number of 0.
- A positron is the antimatter counterpart of an electron, having the same mass but a positive charge.
5. Interpretation of the Reaction:
- The change in atomic number from 8 to 7 means one proton has been converted into a neutron (since the overall mass number remains unchanged).
- The emission of a positron ([tex]\( { }_{+1}^0 e \)[/tex]) occurs during this transition.
6. Identification of the Reaction Type:
- This transformation is characteristic of beta plus decay (also known as positron emission). In beta plus decay, a proton is converted into a neutron, and a positron is emitted.
Taking all these steps into account, the correct identification of the type of reaction for the given nuclear equation is:
beta plus decay
