B Carbon-14 to Nitrogen-14 Decay: Proton Gain & No Electron Loss

AI Thread Summary
Carbon-14 decays into Nitrogen-14 by a neutron transforming into a proton and emitting a beta particle, which is a high-energy electron. This process results in Nitrogen-14 having 7 protons and 7 neutrons, but initially only 6 electrons. The missing electron creates an ionized state for the nitrogen atom. To stabilize, Nitrogen-14 will capture an electron from a nearby atom. Understanding this decay process clarifies the electron dynamics involved in the transformation.
sureshkumar b46
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
How Carbon-14 effectively gains a proton but no electrons when decaying to Nitrogen-14...?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
When one of the carbon's neutrons decays into a proton and a high-energy electron that is emitted as a beta particle, that leaves a nitrogen atom of 7 protons, 7 neutrons and 6 electrons by my reckoning. Where does the 7th electron come from? All answers will be gratefully received. Thanks!
 
The decay of 14C leaves 14N in an ionized state, that is, lacking an electron. It'll grab an electron from a nearby atom.
 
comparing a flat solar panel of area 2π r² and a hemisphere of the same area, the hemispherical solar panel would only occupy the area π r² of while the flat panel would occupy an entire 2π r² of land. wouldn't the hemispherical version have the same area of panel exposed to the sun, occupy less land space and can therefore increase the number of panels one land can have fitted? this would increase the power output proportionally as well. when I searched it up I wasn't satisfied with...

Similar threads

Back
Top