Chapter 16, Problem 51UTC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The new nucleus after the emission of a positron needs to be determined.

Concept introduction:

A proton is turned into a neutron and a positron (with a positive charge) leaves the nucleus.

Positron emission happens when a nucleus emits a positron $e_1^0$ .

Answer to Problem 51UTC

Solution:

Explanation of Solution

Positron emission happens when a nucleus emits a positron $e_1^0$ . A proton is turned into a neutron and a positron (with a positive charge) leaves the nucleus. In the following figure, orange spheres represent the protons and grey spheres represent the electrons:

At the beginning there are 6 protons and 5 neutrons, after the emission there are 5 protons and 6 neutrons.

Conclusion

Thus, positron emission happens when a nucleus emits a positron $e_1^0$ .