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There is a process called "K-capture" where in large atoms an electron from the "K-shell" can be captured by the nucleus, turning a proton into a neutron. This is very similar to Beta+ decay, where a positron is ejected (except no positron is ejected). Following "K-capture" the electrons in the orbitals rearrange themselves to fill the gap.

Another situation is the formation of a neutron star, where gravity overcomes the action of the Pauli Exclusion Principle on the electrons pulling them into the nuclei converting all the protons to neutrons and pulling all the nuclei together into a big ball of neutrons.

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What do we mean when we say a nucleus has undergone an electron capture process?

You will recall that electrons orbit the nucleus of an atom (or in quantum mechanical terms, they surround the nucleus as a cloud). Under some circumstances, one of those orbiting electrons can fall into the nucleus, where it will react with a proton and convert it into a neutron. This is an electron capture process.


What is it called when atomic nuclei spontaneously decay?

How the nucleus decays depends on the particular isotope. Some even decay in more than one way. One possibility is called alpha decay. In alpha decay, the nucleus emits an alpha particle (two protons and two neutrons). Another possibility is beta decay, in which one of the nucleons changes from a neutron to a proton or vice versa and the nucleus will throw out a beta particle. A beta particle can be either an electron or a positron. (To conserve lepton number, the nucleus also emits an electron antineutrino or an electron neutrino at the same time.) A third case is electron capture. In this, one of the inner electrons is absorbed by the nucleus, a proton changes to a neutron, and an electron neutrino is thrown off. Heavy nuclides can undergo spontaneous fission, in which the nucleus splits into two smaller daughter particles with mass numbers of roughly 90-100 and 130-140. Often some spare neutrons are also ejected at the same time. Cluster decay is yet another mode, which happens only for nuclei which also decay via alpha decay. It's similar to alpha decay except the emitted particle is not a helium-4 nucleus but a heavier element. It's distinguished from spontaneous fission by the fact in cluster decay, only certain nuclei are emitted and they're always well under 90 amu. Other rare decay modes are possible: proton emission, neutron emission, double proton emission, double beta decay, double electron capture, double positron emission, and electron capture with positron emission. Most of these names should be self-explanatory.


What is the smallest object that can be seen under an electron microscope?

Down to 1 Angstrom = 0,000 000 000 1 meter. The smallest "object" That can be seen under an electron microscope is most likely the electronAnother opinionThe atom is the smallest!


Could a nucleus that has more than one proton but no neutrons exist explain?

Such a nucleus would be unstable due to the Pauli Exclusion Principle requiring the protons to have anti-aligned spins and thus a negative binding energy which would force the protons apart. There has been some recent (2008) experimental evidence that suggests a Diproton, or Helium-2 nucleus, may exist for a fraction of a billionth of a second under certain conditions and may have a role to play in the creation of elements inside stars.


How strong is stone?

Stone is generally very strong in compression, meaning it can withstand a lot of weight and pressure without breaking. However, it is relatively weak in tension, so it can be prone to cracking or breaking under certain circumstances. The strength of stone can vary depending on the type and quality of the stone.

Related Questions

What is a substance called that carries electricity under certain circumstances but not under other circumstances?

A substance that carries electricity under certain circumstances but not under others is called a semiconductor.


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You will recall that electrons orbit the nucleus of an atom (or in quantum mechanical terms, they surround the nucleus as a cloud). Under some circumstances, one of those orbiting electrons can fall into the nucleus, where it will react with a proton and convert it into a neutron. This is an electron capture process.


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A substance that carries electricity under certain circumstances but not under others is called a semiconductor.


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Under certain circumstances, yes, they can.