Practice question
Question
What happens when an unstable isotope undergoes beta decay?
Explanation
A neutron converts into a proton correctly describes the effect or change asked about in this question. In Atoms and Molecules, understanding cause-and-effect relationships is essential for predicting biological outcomes. A neutron converts into a proton occurs because of specific molecular interactions, thermodynamic principles, or regulatory mechanisms that govern this biological process. The other options (A proton converts into a neutron, An electron is captured, and Energy is released without a change in mass) describe either opposite effects, effects that occur under different conditions, or changes associated with unrelated processes.