Paradox in the nuclear activity

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of nuclear activity, specifically focusing on beta radiation and the stability of atoms during nuclear decay processes. Participants explore the implications of neutron decay and the formation of ions in relation to charge balance and electron involvement.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about the stability of an atom after it emits beta radiation, questioning the apparent paradox of charge balance when a neutron becomes a proton and an electron is released.
  • Another participant clarifies that atoms with an unbalanced number of protons and electrons are called ions, emphasizing the difference in energy scales between ionization and nuclear transitions.
  • A participant reiterates the conservation of charge during neutron decay, presenting the equation for beta decay.
  • There is a follow-up question regarding the origin of the emitted electron during beta decay, seeking clarification on whether it is newly formed.
  • The concept of ions is further discussed, with participants agreeing that ions are formed when atoms gain or lose electrons, maintaining consistency with previous statements.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the definitions of ions and the conservation of charge in nuclear decay processes. However, there remains some uncertainty regarding the nature of the emitted electron and its formation during beta decay.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the definitions of ions and the processes involved in beta decay, which may not be fully articulated by all participants. The energy scales mentioned are not quantitatively detailed, leaving room for further exploration.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and enthusiasts of nuclear physics, particularly those interested in the mechanisms of radioactive decay and atomic stability.

Mary curie
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good evening everybody!
i'm studying these days the nuclear activity and this amazing world where an atom try to find its/her stability !
so i came across the famous radiations but then stopped by something i didn't quite understand!
when an atom release a beta radiation a negative one for example didn't she become unstable but from a charge view? ( when a neutron become a proton which means a one more + will be add which also mean that the atom needs a one more electron ?! nonetheless she release a one ! isn't that a paradox?!
please my head is going to explode from thinking
thank you!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Atoms which contain an unbalanced number of protons and electrons are called ions. The energy that it takes to make an ion is minuscule compared to the energies involved in a nuclear transition. It is literally the difference between dynamite and a nuclear weapon.
 
When a neutron decays through the beta- interaction, you have:
##n^0 -> p^+ + e^-##
So the charge is conserved on both sides.
 
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Bandersnatch said:
When a neutron decays through the beta- interaction, you have:
##n^0 -> p^+ + e^-##
So the charge is conserved on both sides.
oh yeah ! i see what do you mean and that quite solve my problem ! thank you!
but is this electron is new formed? if it is a yes from where "he" came?
 
Last edited:
Dale said:
Atoms which contain an unbalanced number of protons and electrons are called ions. The energy that it takes to make an ion is minuscule compared to the energies involved in a nuclear transition. It is literally the difference between dynamite and a nuclear weapon.
hii thank you for answering!
so isn't an ion an atom that gain or lose an electron?
 
Mary curie said:
so isn't an ion an atom that gain or lose an electron?
If an atom gains or loses an electron, it becomes an "atom which contains an unbalanced number of protons and electrons" so this is consistent with what Dale said.
 

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