32p is an unstable isotope of phosphorus that has a half-life () of 14.29 days. atoms of 32p undergo beta decay, in which a neutron decays into a proton and electron. (a) describe the mass number and atomic number of the element that results. (b) how long would a sample containing 32p take to decay to 1/32 of the radioactivity?

The answer to your question is below

Explanation:

Data

³²P half-life = 14.29 days

beta decay

a) Element that results

        ³²₁₅P   ⇒   ³²₁₆S + e⁻     Mass number = 32   Atomic number = 16

b)             Amount of P                Number of half-lives    

                      1                                          0

                      1/2                                       1

                      1/4                                      2

                      1/8                                      4

                      1/16                                     5

                      1/32                                    6

After six half-lives there will be 1/32 of the original amount

                              6 x 14.29 = 85.74 days

< > according to newton's third law of motion, forces always act in equal but opposite pairs. another way of saying this is for every action, there is an equal but opposite reaction.< >