Question

During a β^- decay

• A. An atomic electron is ejected
• B. An electron which is already present within the nucleus is ejected
• C. A neutron in the nucleus decays emitting an electron
• D. A proton in the nucleus decays emitting an electron

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

In \(\beta^-\) decay, a neutron in the nucleus decays into a proton, an electron (\(\beta^-\) particle), and an antineutrino. The electron is emitted from the nucleus, which results in the conversion of the neutron into a proton. The process can be written as: \[ n \rightarrow p + e^- + \overline{\nu}_e \] Thus, during \(\beta^-\) decay, a neutron in the nucleus decays emitting an electron, which is the characteristic feature of this type of radioactive decay.

The correct answer is (C) : A neutron in the nucleus decays emitting an electron.

Answer 2

In \( \beta^- \) decay, a neutron in the nucleus decays into a proton, emitting an electron (also called a beta particle) and an antineutrino. This is the fundamental process in \( \beta^- \) decay.

The reaction is as follows:

\(n \rightarrow p + e^- + \bar{\nu}_e\)

Where:
- \( n \) is the neutron,
- \( p \) is the proton,
- \( e^- \) is the emitted electron (beta particle),
- \( \bar{\nu}_e \) is the emitted antineutrino.

The key point here is that the neutron decays into a proton while emitting an electron (and an antineutrino) in the process. This distinguishes \( \beta^- \) decay from other processes like \( \beta^+ \) decay, where a proton decays into a neutron.

Therefore, the correct answer is (C) — A neutron in the nucleus decays emitting an electron.