Tritium, symbol $\ce{T}$, is hydrogen with a mass of $3\ \mathrm{amu}$. It is radioactive and undergoes $\beta$ decay. Which of the following could be the only products after a quantity of $\ce{HTO}$ undergoes decay?

 

1. $\ce{HeOH}$
2. $\ce{H2O}$, $\ce{O2}$ and $\ce{He}$
3. $\ce{H2O}$, $\ce{H2}$ and $\ce{He}$

The answer is 2 only, however I am finding it difficult to understand how I could have worked this out. Tritium undergoes beta decay, so: $$\ce{^3_1H+ -> ^3_2He^{2+} + e- + \bar {\nu}_e}$$

I had assumed it wouldn't be possible for the electron emitted in beta decay to become an orbital electron. I have seen the following question: What does HTO decay into?, but it doesn't answer my specific query. I could state that the helium ions produced gain 2 electrons from the oxygen ions to become helium, with these oxygen atoms then reacting to form $\ce{O2}$ and some of the hydrogen combining with oxygen to form water, leading to answer 2, but this feels somewhat arbitrary. What approach could be taken to solve this problem?

Tritium, symbol $\ce{T}$, is hydrogen with a mass of $3\ \mathrm{amu}$. It is radioactive and undergoes $\beta$ decay. Which of the following could be the only products after a quantity of $\ce{HTO}$ undergoes decay?

1. $\ce{HeOH}$
2. $\ce{H2O}$, $\ce{O2}$ and $\ce{He}$
3. $\ce{H2O}$, $\ce{H2}$ and $\ce{He}$

The answer is 2 only, however I am finding it difficult to understand how I could have worked this out. Tritium undergoes beta decay, so: $$\ce{^3_1H+ -> ^3_2He^{2+} + e- + \bar {\nu}_e}$$

I had assumed it wouldn't be possible for the electron emitted in beta decay to become an orbital electron. I have seen the following question: What does HTO decay into?, but it doesn't answer my specific query. I could state that the helium ions produced gain 2 electrons from the oxygen ions to become helium, with these oxygen atoms then reacting to form $\ce{O2}$ and some of the hydrogen combining with oxygen to form water, leading to answer 2, but this feels somewhat arbitrary. What approach could be taken to solve this problem?

I have the following question:

Tritium, symbol $\ce{T}$, is hydrogen with a mass of $3\ \mathrm{amu}$. It is radioactive and undergoes $\beta$ decay. Which of the following could be the only products after a quantity of $\ce{HTO}$ undergoes decay?

1. $\ce{HeOH}$
2. $\ce{H2O}$, $\ce{O2}$ and $\ce{He}$
3. $\ce{H2O}$, $\ce{H2}$ and $\ce{He}$

The answer is 2 only, however I am finding it difficult to understand how I could have worked this out. Tritium undergoes beta decay, so: $$\ce{^3_1H+ -> ^3_2He^{2+} + e- + \bar {\nu}_e}$$

I had assumed it wouldn't be possible for the electron emitted in beta decay to become an orbital electron. I have seen the following question: What does HTO decay into?, but it doesn't answer my specific query. I could state that the helium ions produced gain 2 electrons from the oxygen ions to become helium, with these oxygen atoms then reacting to form $\ce{O2}$ and some of the hydrogen combining with oxygen to form water, leading to answer 2, but this feels somewhat arbitrary. What approach could be taken to solve this problem?

Tritium, symbol $\ce{T}$, is hydrogen with a mass of $3\ \mathrm{amu}$. It is radioactive and undergoes $\beta$ decay. Which of the following could be the only products after a quantity of $\ce{HTO}$ undergoes decay?

1. $\ce{HeOH}$
2. $\ce{H2O}$, $\ce{O2}$ and $\ce{He}$
3. $\ce{H2O}$, $\ce{H2}$ and $\ce{He}$

The answer is 2 only, however I am finding it difficult to understand how I could have worked this out. Tritium undergoes beta decay, so: $$\ce{^3_1H+ -> ^3_2He^{2+} + e- + \bar {\nu}_e}$$

I had assumed it wouldn't be possible for the electron emitted in beta decay to become an orbital electron. I have seen the following question: What does HTO decay into?, but it doesn't answer my specific query. I could state that the helium ions produced gain 2 electrons from the oxygen ions to become helium, with these oxygen atoms then reacting to form $\ce{O2}$ and some of the hydrogen combining with oxygen to form water, leading to answer 2, but this feels somewhat arbitrary. What approach could be taken to solve this problem?

I have the following question:

Tritium, symbol $\ce{T}$, is hydrogen with a mass of $3\ \mathrm{amu}$. It is radioactive and undergoes $\beta$ decay. Which of the following could be the only products after a quantity of $\ce{HTO}$ undergoes decay?

1. $\ce{HeOH}$
2. $\ce{H2O}$, $\ce{O2}$ and $\ce{He}$
3. $\ce{H2O}$, $\ce{H2}$ and $\ce{He}$

The answer is 2 only, however I am finding it difficult to understand how I could have worked this out. Tritium undergoes beta decay, so: $$\ce{^3_1H+ -> ^3_2He^{2+} + e- + \bar {\nu}_e}$$

I had assumed it wouldn't be possible for the electron emitted in beta decay to become an orbital electron. I have seen the following question: What does HTO decay into?, but it doesn't answer my specific query. I could state that the helium ions produced gain 2 electrons from the oxygen ions to become helium, with these oxygen atoms then reacting to form $\ce{O2}$ and some of the hydrogen combining with oxygen to form water, leading to answer 2, but this feels somewhat arbitrary. What approach could be taken to solve this problem?

I have the following question:

Tritium, symbol $\ce{T}$, is hydrogen with a mass of $3\ \mathrm{amu}$. It is radioactive and undergoes $\beta$ decay. Which of the following could be the only products after a quantity of $\ce{HTO}$ undergoes decay?

1. $\ce{HeOH}$
2. $\ce{H2O}$, $\ce{O2}$ and $\ce{He}$
3. $\ce{H2O}$, $\ce{H2}$ and $\ce{He}$

The answer is 2 only, however I am finding it difficult to understand how I could have worked this out. Tritium undergoes beta decay, so: $$\ce{^3_1H+ -> ^3_2He^{2+} + e- + \bar {\nu}_e}$$

I had assumed it wouldn't be possible for the electron emitted in beta decay to become an orbital electron. I have seen the following question: What does HTO decay into?, but it doesn't answer my specific query. I could state that the helium ions produced gain 2 electrons from the oxygen ions to become helium, with these oxygen atoms then reacting to form $\ce{O2}$ and some of the hydrogen combining with oxygen to form water, leading to answer 2, but this feels somewhat arbitrary. What approach could be taken to solve this problem?