Balancing nuclear equations for β⁻ decay

Steps:

• β⁻ decay converts a neutron to a proton, emitting an electron (β⁻) and an antineutrino (ν̄); mass number A stays the same.
• Parent nucleus ^{23}Mg has A = 23 and Z = 12.
• Daughter nucleus X must have A = 23 and Z = 13 to conserve nucleon number and charge.
• Element with Z = 13 is aluminum, so X = ^{23}Al.

Why C is correct:

• Not applicable; no option matches ^{23}Al, as required by conservation laws in nuclear decay.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Correct mass number (23) but wrong Z (11 for Na; β⁻ increases Z to 13).
• B: Correct Z (13 for Al) but wrong mass number (12 instead of 23).
• D: Correct Z (13 for Al) but wrong mass number (13 instead of 23).

Not enough information to select from given options, as none balance the equation.

Final answer: None of the options