Which of the following nuclear processes results in an increase in the number of neutrons in the product element
I. Alpha emission
II. Beta emission
III. Positron emission
IV. Electron capture
A) I and II
B) III and IV
C) I, II, and III
D) II, III, and IV
E) I, II, III, and IV

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Beta emission and electron capture both result in an increase in the number of neutrons in the product element. In beta emission, a neutron is converted into a proton and a high-energy electron (beta particle), and the new element has one more proton and one more neutron than the original element. In electron capture, a proton is converted into a neutron by capturing an electron from the inner shell, and the new element has one more neutron and one fewer proton than the original element. Alpha emission does not affect the number of neutrons in the product element since an alpha particle is made of two protons and two neutrons. Positron emission converts a proton into a neutron by emitting a positron (a positively charged electron), which reduces the number of neutrons in the product element. Therefore, only choices B is correct.

Which of the Following Nuclear Processes Results in an Increase