Question

How do you write positron decay?

Answer 1

It is just like `beta` decay but with a positive (`"_(+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 Mg` decays by positron decay to `"_11^23 Na`:

`"_12^23Mg` `rarr` `"_1^0 beta` + `"_11^23 Na` + `"_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:

`"_12^23Mg` `rarr` `"_1^0 e` + `"_11^23 Na` + `"_0^0 nu`