What is the Reason Behind Beta Decay Not Creating an Ion?

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    Beta Beta decay Decay
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of beta decay and why the atom formed after the decay is not considered an ion. Participants explore the implications of neutron decay into a proton and an electron, and the subsequent behavior of the emitted electron.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes beta decay as a process where a neutron converts into a proton and an electron, questioning why the resulting atom is not an ion due to the imbalance of charges.
  • Another participant agrees that the atom would be an ion until it captures an electron.
  • It is noted that the emitted electron loses energy and may eventually be recaptured, but there is a disagreement about the nature of beta decay, with one participant asserting that it involves a proton emitting a positron instead of a neutron decaying into a proton and electron.
  • A participant cites Wikipedia to clarify the process of beta decay, emphasizing that the emitted electron can be captured but does not always occur, depending on its energy.
  • Concerns are raised about the likelihood of the emitted beta particle being captured by the original atom, with one participant explaining that the energy of the emitted beta particle is typically too high for capture to be probable.
  • Another participant discusses the conservation of charge, suggesting that the emitted electron leaves a proton that is seeking an electron from elsewhere.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the atom formed after beta decay is an ion and the specifics of the decay process. There is no consensus on the mechanisms of electron capture or the implications for charge balance.

Contextual Notes

Some participants point out that the energy of the emitted electron plays a crucial role in whether it can be recaptured, indicating a dependence on energy levels and the nature of beta decay. The discussion reflects varying interpretations of the decay process and its consequences.

gkangelexa
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Beta decay is when a neutron creates a proton and an electron and the electron is then expelled, right?

So I was wondering, why would the new atom formed not be an ion?
If the neutron became a proton, the mass number should stay the same, and the atomic number should increase by 1 since there is an extra proton now... but there is an extra proton without an extra electron, so shouldn't that make an ion?

(since the charges don't add up)
 
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I would say yes. It would be an Ion until it captured an electron.
 
The electron that's emitted quickly loses energy and is eventually recaptured. Also beta decay is when a proton emits a positron and turns into a neutron. The positron will eventually annihilate with an electron so charge balance is maintained.
 
thanks.. I was just wondering because my study book didn't mention it turning into an ion, which was weird
 
Dr_Morbius said:
The electron that's emitted quickly loses energy and is eventually recaptured. Also beta decay is when a proton emits a positron and turns into a neutron. The positron will eventually annihilate with an electron so charge balance is maintained.

I don't believe this is correct. Per wikipedia:
In β−decay, the weak interaction converts a neutron (n) into a proton (p) while emitting an electron (e−) and an electron antineutrino (νe):

I think that the electron that is emitted CAN be captured, but I don't think it always occurs. It probably depends on the energy of the emitted electron.
 
gkangelexa said:
thanks.. I was just wondering because my study book didn't mention it turning into an ion, which was weird

It probably was considered to be obvious or just overlooked.
 
It is highly unlikely that the beta would be captured by the atom that emitted it since it would have to lose a great deal of energy very quickly. Even the weakest beta emitters such as tritium are over 1keV (18keV max for tritium), much more than the binding energy of the atomic orbitals. Since the energy spectrum of beta emitters is continuous rather than discrete (such as alpha emitters), there is a finite probability of a low enough energy that it could be captured, but I imagine it's so small as to be negligible.

Also, to be more precise, a neutron doesn't "create" the proton/electron/electron antineutrino. The neutron decays into the particles.
 
Charge has to be conserved but, in the short term, not necessarily where the even takes place - the electron that goes away leaves behind it a proton which is 'yearning' for a partner from somewhere. It's not fussy where it is to come from.
 

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