What is the difference between beta-minus and beta-plus decay in terms of the particles emitted and the effect on the atomic number and mass number of a nucleus?
Beta-minus (β-) decay and beta-plus (β+) decay are two types of beta decay processes that involve the conversion of a neutron into a proton or vice versa within an atomic nucleus. There is a difference in the particles emitted and the effect on the atomic number and mass number in both the processes.
Beta-minus decay:
1. In β- decay, a neutron within the nucleus is converted into a proton.
2. An electron (called a beta particle) and an electron antineutrino are emitted during this process.
3. The atomic number (Z) of the nucleus increases by 1, as a neutron is converted into a proton.
4. The mass number (A) of the nucleus remains the same, as the total number of protons and neutrons remains constant.
Beta-plus decay:
1. In β+ decay, a proton within the nucleus is converted into a neutron.
2. A positron (the antimatter counterpart of an electron) and an electron neutrino are emitted during this process.
3. The atomic number (Z) of the nucleus decreases by 1, as a proton is converted into a neutron.
4. The mass number (A) of the nucleus remains the same, as the total number of protons and neutrons remains constant.
In summary, β- decay involves the conversion of a neutron into a proton, with the emission of an electron and an electron antineutrino, increasing the atomic number, while the β+ decay involves the conversion of a proton into a neutron, with the emission of a positron and an electron neutrino, decreasing the atomic number. In both cases, the mass number remains unchanged.