Which of the following decay processes give a product nuclide whose atomic number is one less than the starting nuclide?
A)alpha decay
B)beta decay and positron decay
C)gamma decay and beta decay
D)positron decay and electron capture

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In positron decay, a beta particle (which is a positron) is emitted from the nucleus, which converts a proton into a neutron. This results in the atomic number decreasing by 1. Similarly, in electron capture, an electron from the inner shell is captured by the nucleus, which combines with a proton to form a neutron. Again, the atomic number decreases by 1 in this process. Therefore, the choice that gives a product nuclide with atomic number one less than the starting nuclide is technically only D, which includes positron decay and electron capture.

Which of the Following Decay Processes Give a Product Nuclide