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The reason positron emission and electron capture have the same effect on the nucleus of an atom is because the resulting atom undergoes nuclear transformation, and the new element will have one less proton and one more neutron than the precursor element. Both of these nuclear changes are interesting, so let's look a bit more closely.
In positron emission (also called beta plus decay), a proton in the nucleus of an atom "changes" into a neutron and a positron is ejected. This results in one less proton in that nucleus (naturally), and the creation of a new element. And because the proton had become a neutron, the nucleus has the same number of nucleons and a similar atomic weight.
In electron capture, a nucleus with "too many" protons will actually "pull in" an electron and take it into its nucleus. This electron will "combine" with a proton, and a neutron will result. This will reduce the number of protons in the nucleus, and the creation of a new element -- just like in positron emission. Links to related questions can be found below.
Positron emission and electron capture both result in a decrease of one unit in the atomic number of the nucleus, but no change in the mass number. This is because in both processes, a proton is converted into a neutron, leading to a decrease in atomic number while keeping the mass number constant.
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What is positron capture?
Positron capture is a nuclear reaction in which a positron (antielectron) is absorbed by an atomic nucleus, resulting in the conversion of a proton into a neutron with the emission of a neutrino. This process occurs in certain radioactive isotopes where the ratio of protons to neutrons is not stable, leading to the emission of a positron to restore stability.
Where does the positron produced during positron emission come from?
In positron emission, the positron is produced from the nucleus of an atom when a proton is converted into a neutron and a positively charged positron. This process helps to make the nucleus more stable by decreasing the number of protons.
The emission of a positron also results in the creation of a?
When an atomic nucleus releases a positron, it has undergone beta plus decay. This nuclear transformation event also will release a neutrino. Use the link below for more information.
Mercury-201 undergoes positron emission?
In positron emission, a proton in the nucleus is converted into a neutron, leading to the emission of a positron and a neutrino. Therefore, in the case of Mercury-201 undergoing positron emission, the nucleus transforms into a new element with one less proton and one more neutron in its nucleus.
What is the kind of decay that occurs when a nucleus releases a positron?
There is technically no such thing as positron decay. It's a misnomer. The nuclear decay process wherein a positron is emitted from a decaying nucleus is called positron emission or beta plus decay. A link is provided below that question and its answer.
What can be emmited from radioactive decay?
Many particles can be emitted from radioactive decay. We have Internal Conversion in which a nucleus transfers the energy to an electron which then releases it. There is also Isometric Transition which is basically the gamma ray (photon). There is the decay in which a nucleon is emitted. In this scenario we can have an alpha decay (in which an alpha particle decays), a proton emission, a neutron emission, double proton emission (two protons are emitted), spontaneous fission (the nucleus brakes down into two smaller nuclei and/or other particles) and we have the cluster decay (where the nucleus emits a smaller nucleus). There is the beta decay too. There is the Beta decay (electron and electron antineutrino are emitted), positron emission (a positron and an electron neutrino are emitted), electron capture (an electron is captured by the nucleus and a neutrino is emitted), bound state beta decay (the nucleus decays to an electron and an antineutrino but here the electron is not emitted since it is captured into a K-shell), double beta decay (two electrons and two antineutrinos are emitted), double electron capture (the nucleus absorbs two electrons and emits two neutrinos), electron capture with positron emission (an electron is absorbed and a positron is emitted along with two neutrinos), and double positron emission (in which the nucleus emits two positrons and two neutrons).
How do positron emission and electron capture change an atom?
Positron emission results in the atom losing a proton, transforming the atom into a different element with a lower atomic number. Electron capture involves the atom gaining a proton, resulting in the transformation of the atom into a different element with a higher atomic number. Both processes lead to the formation of a more stable nucleus by adjusting the ratio of protons and neutrons.
What is a type of radioactive decay that involves emission from the nucleus of a high speed antimatter particle that is a counterpart of the electron?
Positron emission is a type of radioactive decay where a proton in the nucleus is converted into a neutron, resulting in the emission of a positron (antimatter equivalent of an electron) and a neutrino. This process helps to decrease the proton-neutron imbalance in the nucleus.
What is positron capture?
Positron capture is a nuclear reaction in which a positron (antielectron) is absorbed by an atomic nucleus, resulting in the conversion of a proton into a neutron with the emission of a neutrino. This process occurs in certain radioactive isotopes where the ratio of protons to neutrons is not stable, leading to the emission of a positron to restore stability.
What is a proton in the nucleus converted into what during electron capture?
During electron capture, a proton in the nucleus is converted into a neutron. This process occurs when an electron combines with a proton in the nucleus, resulting in the emission of a neutrino.
What is the daughter nucleus produced when 196Pb undergoes electron capture?
When 196Pb undergoes electron capture, it turns into 196Hg by capturing an inner atomic electron and converting a proton into a neutron.
The emission of a positron also results in the creation of a?
When an atomic nucleus releases a positron, it has undergone beta plus decay. This nuclear transformation event also will release a neutrino. Use the link below for more information.
Where does the positron produced during positron emission come from?
In positron emission, the positron is produced from the nucleus of an atom when a proton is converted into a neutron and a positively charged positron. This process helps to make the nucleus more stable by decreasing the number of protons.
Mercury-201 undergoes positron emission?
In positron emission, a proton in the nucleus is converted into a neutron, leading to the emission of a positron and a neutrino. Therefore, in the case of Mercury-201 undergoing positron emission, the nucleus transforms into a new element with one less proton and one more neutron in its nucleus.
What is the kind of decay that occurs when a nucleus releases a positron?
There is technically no such thing as positron decay. It's a misnomer. The nuclear decay process wherein a positron is emitted from a decaying nucleus is called positron emission or beta plus decay. A link is provided below that question and its answer.
How does positron emission cause nuclear transmutation?
During positron emission, a proton in the nucleus is converted into a neutron while emitting a positron. The atomic number decreases by 1 as a result of the proton-to-neutron conversion, causing the nucleus to transmute into a different element.
What are the three main types of radioactive decay?
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