Science

Math

Humanities

... and beyond

Socratic Meta
Featured Answers

Topics

How do you write positron decay?

1 Answer

Feb 9, 2017

It is just like $β$ $beta$ decay but with a positive ( $_{+ 1}^{0} β$ $"_(+1)^( 0) beta$ ) particle.

Explanation:

In positron decay we are losing a positive charge from the nucleus. That means the atomic number will go down by one.

For example, $_{12}^{23} M g$ $"_12^23 Mg$ decays by positron decay to $_{11}^{23} N a$ $"_11^23 Na$ :

$_{12}^{23} M g$ $"_12^23Mg$ $\to$ $rarr$ $_{1}^{0} β$ $"_1^0 beta$ + $_{11}^{23} N a$ $"_11^23 Na$ + $_{0}^{0} ν$ $"_0^0 nu$

Note that the charge on the beta particle is 1, not -1. You can also write the equation using the symbol for an positive;y charged electron:

$_{12}^{23} M g$ $"_12^23Mg$ $\to$ $rarr$ $_{1}^{0} e$ $"_1^0 e$ + $_{11}^{23} N a$ $"_11^23 Na$ + $_{0}^{0} ν$ $"_0^0 nu$

Related questions

See all questions in Positron Decay

Impact of this question

4486 views around the world

You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License