MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Re: what happens to the extra proton in a beta emission?

Date: Fri Feb 16 12:04:01 2001
Posted By: Dan Berger, Faculty Chemistry/Science, Bluffton College
Area of science: Physics
ID: 982097593.Ph
Message:

in our text, it explains the beta emission as when a neutron breaks into a proton and an electron. Then the electron is emitted. What happens to the proton that is produced? (if it stays in the nucleus it will make the atom an ion and that does not make sense.)
Why shouldn't it make sense?
  1. The nucleus doesn't care whether it's in an ion or not.
  2. The charges balance: a neutron (zero charge) has changed into a proton and an electron (plus and minus equals zero charge).
Anyhow, interactions with neighboring atoms soon remedy any charge deficiencies that may develop. See this answer.

Dan Berger
MadSci Administrator


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