Carbon-14 () is a radioactive isotope used in archaeology. What is the fundamental reason for its in — Nuclear Chemistry and Radioactivity Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

${}_{6}^{14}C$ has 6 protons and 8 neutrons, giving an $n/p$ ratio of $1.33$, which is above the stability belt for light elements. It stabilizes by converting a neutron to a proton via $\beta^-$ emission (${}_{0}^{1}n \rightarrow {}_{1}^{1}p + {}_{-1}^{0}e$), forming stable ${}_{7}^{14}N$ ($n/p=1$).