- #1
emilypearson
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So my question has a few parts to it.
First, if an atom is decaying and the proton (Z) number is decreasing in the decay process, am I correct in assuming that the nucleus is either decaying by electron capture of beta plus emission?
Secondly, I understand that beta plus emission can only occur is the mass of the original atom is at least 2 electron masses larger than the final atom. Therefore if the final mass is under 2 electron masses, the atom decays by electron capture. However, if the final mass is larger than 2 electron masses, how do you know if it is decaying by beta plus emission or electron capture?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Emily.
First, if an atom is decaying and the proton (Z) number is decreasing in the decay process, am I correct in assuming that the nucleus is either decaying by electron capture of beta plus emission?
Secondly, I understand that beta plus emission can only occur is the mass of the original atom is at least 2 electron masses larger than the final atom. Therefore if the final mass is under 2 electron masses, the atom decays by electron capture. However, if the final mass is larger than 2 electron masses, how do you know if it is decaying by beta plus emission or electron capture?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Emily.