The atomic symbol mc025-1.jpg represents potassium-40 (K-40), a radioactive isotope that has 19 protons and 21 neutrons. Which atomic symbol could represent an isotope that results from the decay of K-40?

a) 40 Ar
18

b) 40 K
18

c) 42 Ca
20

d) 42 K
20

Explanation: For a radioactive isotope of potassium, which is [tex]^{40}K[/tex] having 19 protons and 21 neutrons, the decay processes are beta-decay and electron capture.

Potassium-40 undergoing decay processes:

Electron Capture: In this process, the unstable nuclei becomes stable by converting electron into neutron with the help of proton.

[tex]_{19}^{40}\textrm{K}\overset{\text{electron capture}}{\rightarrow} _{18}^{40}\textrm{Ar}[/tex]

Beta-decay: In this process, the unstable nuclei becomes stable by converting a neutron into proton and electron.

[tex]_{19}^{40}\textrm{K}\overset{\beta \text{-decay}}{\rightarrow} _{20}^{40}\textrm{Ca}[/tex]

From the two processes, the K-40 isotope forms [tex]_{18}^{40}\textrm{Ar}[/tex] by electron capture. So, the correct option is A.

The atomic symbol mc025-1.jpg represents potassium-40 (K-40), a radioactive isotope that has 19 protons and 21 neutrons. Which atomic symbol could represent an isotope that results from the decay of K-40? a) 40 Ar 18 b) 40 K 18 c) 42 Ca 20 d) 42 K 20

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The atomic symbol mc025-1.jpg represents potassium-40 (K-40), a radioactive isotope that has 19 protons and 21 neutrons. Which atomic symbol could represent an isotope that results from the decay of K-40?

a) 40 Ar
18

b) 40 K
18

c) 42 Ca
20

d) 42 K
20