Problem: What is the daughter nucleus produced when 188(Hg) undergoes positron emission?

We are asked what is the daughter nucleus produced when 188(Hg) undergoes positron emission

Recall that in a nuclear reaction, the number of protons and neutrons are affected and the identity of the element changes. For Positron emission: forms a positron particle (⁰₁e, atomic mass = 0, atomic number = 1)

The incomplete nuclear equation is:

¹⁸⁸₈₀ Hg → ___ + ⁰₁e,

Atomic mass of the daughter nuclide:

188 = x + 0

x = 188 – 0 = 188