Step-by-step explanation:
Aluminum-29 (Al-29) is an isotope of aluminum, and it is stable with respect to alpha decay and spontaneous fission. However, it can undergo beta decay due to the specific nuclear properties of its nucleus. Beta decay involves the transformation of a neutron into a proton or vice versa, along with the emission of a beta particle (electron) or a positron.
The primary reason why Al-29 might undergo beta decay is related to the neutron-to-proton ratio in its nucleus. Stable nuclei tend to have a balance between protons and neutrons, typically favoring a near-equal number of protons and neutrons or a slight excess of neutrons. If the neutron-to-proton ratio is not optimal for stability, the nucleus may undergo a radioactive decay process to achieve a more stable configuration.
In the case of Al-29, it has a relatively high neutron-to-proton ratio, which makes it less stable compared to isotopes with a more balanced ratio. By undergoing beta decay, one of the excess neutrons can transform into a proton, reducing the neutron-to-proton ratio and bringing the nucleus closer to a more stable configuration.
Through beta decay, Al-29 transforms into Si-29, as one of the neutrons in the nucleus converts into a proton, while emitting a beta particle (electron). The resulting Si-29 isotope has a more balanced neutron-to-proton ratio, making it a more stable configuration.
Overall, beta decay of Al-29 helps to stabilize the nucleus by adjusting the neutron-to-proton ratio and bringing it closer to the optimal ratio for stability.