Question

What does a nuclides that undergoes electron capture emit? Why?

Answer 1

Solution :-

Nuclides which are proton rich undergoes the electron capture process.

In the electron capture process proton rich nuclei absorbs inner atomic electron and changes nuclear proton into a neutron and electron neutrino is emitted. The electron captured is atoms own electron.

So as a result of the electron capture process the atomic number of the daughter nuclei is less by 1 unit than parent nuclei. Mass number remains the same because proton is converted to neutron and mass number is nothing but the sum of protons and neutrons.

Example:- 40 K + e- ---> 40 Ar

Here 40 is the mass number

And K changes to Ar by the electron capture process thus atomic number of K that is 19 is decreases by 1 unit to 18 which is nothing but the atomic number of the Ar.

The unstable proton rich nuclei undergoes electron capture decay process to give more stable nuclei.