Question

Choose the one false statement.

• A. Nuclei with an even number of protons and an even number of neutrons tend to be stable
• B. $\gamma$-rays are high-energy photons
• C. Nuclei with too few neutrons per proton tend to undergo positron ($\bar{\nu}_e$) emission
• D. Nuclei with too few neutrons per proton tend to undergo $\beta$-particle ($\gamma_e$) emission

Hint:

In nuclei with too many protons and too few neutrons, positron emission occurs, while $\beta$-decay occurs in nuclei with too few neutrons.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Nuclei with too few neutrons per proton tend to undergo \( \beta \)-particle (\( \gamma_e \)) emission, also known as beta-minus decay. In this process, a neutron in the nucleus decays into a proton, emitting an electron (beta particle) and an antineutrino. This increases the number of neutrons and reduces the number of protons, balancing the ratio of neutrons to protons in the nucleus.

On the other hand, positron emission occurs in nuclei with too many protons and too few neutrons. In positron emission (also known as beta-plus decay), a proton in the nucleus is converted into a neutron, emitting a positron and a neutrino. This decreases the number of protons and increases the number of neutrons, again balancing the neutron-to-proton ratio.

Thus, positron emission is observed in nuclei with an excess of protons and insufficient neutrons, while \( \beta \)-particle emission occurs in nuclei with too few neutrons per proton.