Chapter 9, Problem 9.21P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Consider Chromium-51 which is used in pathological diagnosis of spleen. It can undergo transmutation by capturing an electron as per equation.

$\text{C}\text{r +}\text{e}\stackrel{}{\to }?$

Identify the product.

Concept Introduction:

During an electron capture nuclear reaction an atom take the electron to its nucleus and there the electron combines with a proton giving one neutron and a neutrino.

Thus there is a decrease in number of proton hence in atomic number. The mass number will remain the same as proton is being converted to neutron and mass number is sum of number of neutrons and protons.