In a radioactive decay of a nucleus, an electron is also emitted. This may happen due to the fact that :
[amp_mcq option1=”electrons are present inside a nucleus” option2=”an electron is created at the time of conversion of a neutron into proton” option3=”an electron is created at the time of conversion of a proton into a neutron” option4=”electrons need to be emitted for conservation of momentum” correct=”option2″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2015
In radioactive beta minus (β⁻) decay, an electron is emitted because a neutron is converted into a proton within the nucleus.
Beta minus (β⁻) decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a neutron (n) within an atomic nucleus is converted into a proton (p). In this process, an electron (e⁻) and an electron antineutrino (ν̄e) are emitted from the nucleus. The reaction is typically written as: n → p + e⁻ + ν̄e. The electron is not pre-existing within the nucleus; it is created during this transformation. The atomic number of the nucleus increases by one, while the mass number remains unchanged.