How do you write positron decay?

1 Answer
Andy Wolff
Feb 9, 2017

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#

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