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Rafa
JudyPositron capture is a nuclear reaction in which a positron (antielectron) is absorbed by an atomic nucleus, resulting in the conversion of a proton into a neutron with the emission of a neutrino. This process occurs in certain radioactive isotopes where the ratio of protons to neutrons is not stable, leading to the emission of a positron to restore stability.
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Where does the positron produced during positron emission come from?
In positron emission, the positron is produced from the nucleus of an atom when a proton is converted into a neutron and a positively charged positron. This process helps to make the nucleus more stable by decreasing the number of protons.
Why do positron emission and electron capture have the same effect on a nucleus?
Positron emission and electron capture both result in a decrease of one unit in the atomic number of the nucleus, but no change in the mass number. This is because in both processes, a proton is converted into a neutron, leading to a decrease in atomic number while keeping the mass number constant.
What is the anti-matter equivalent of an electron?
The anti-matter equivalent of an electron is a positron. Positrons have the same mass as electrons but have a positive charge. When a positron and an electron collide, they annihilate each other, releasing energy in the form of gamma rays.
What is the symbol for a positron?
A positron is the antiparticle of the electron. We write the electron as e- as it is negatively charged. We write e+ or β+ for the positron. The latter symbol uses the Greek letter beta as positron emission is one of the two forms of the radioactive decay known as beta decay. Links can be found below.
What is the charge of a positron in coulombs?
The charge of a positron is equal in magnitude but opposite in sign to that of an electron. Therefore, the charge of a positron is approximately 1.6 x 10^-19 coulombs.
