Question

Which type of radioactive decay has the net effect of changing a neutron into a proton? Which type of decay has the net effect of turning a proton into a neutron?

Short answer

The type of radioactive decay that has the net effect of changing a neutron into a proton is Beta decay (β-), represented by the equation: \(n \to p + e^{-} + \bar{\nu_e}\) The types of radioactive decay that have the net effect of turning a proton into a neutron are Positron emission (β+) and Electron capture, represented by the equations: \(p \to n + e^{+} + \nu_e\) (Positron emission) \(p + e^{-} \to n + \bar{\nu_e}\) (Electron capture)

Step-by-step solution

Review Types of Radioactive Decay

There are several types of radioactive decay: Alpha decay, Beta decay, Gamma decay, Positron emission, and Electron capture. We will focus on Beta decay, Positron emission, and Electron capture, as they involve transformations between protons and neutrons directly.

Beta Decay (β-)

Beta decay (β-) is the process in which a neutron is converted into a proton by emitting an electron (and an electron antineutrino). This results in an increase in the atomic number by 1. The decay can be represented by the following equation: \(n \to p + e^{-} + \bar{\nu_e}\) Here, 'n' represents a neutron, 'p' a proton, \(e^-\) an electron, and \(\bar{\nu_e}\) an electron antineutrino.

Positron Emission (β+)

Positron emission (β+) is the process in which a proton is converted into a neutron by emitting a positron (and an electron neutrino). This results in a decrease in the atomic number by 1. The decay can be represented by the following equation: \(p \to n + e^{+} + \nu_e\) Here, 'p' represents a proton, 'n' a neutron, \(e^+\) a positron, and \(\nu_e\) an electron neutrino.

Electron Capture

Electron capture is the process in which a proton captures an electron from an inner electron shell of the atom, transforming itself into a neutron. This results in a decrease in the atomic number by 1. The decay can be represented by the following equation: \(p + e^{-} \to n + \bar{\nu_e}\) Here, 'p' represents a proton, 'n' a neutron, \(e^-\) an electron, and \(\bar{\nu_e}\) an electron antineutrino.

Identify Decay Types for Proton and Neutron Conversion

Now that we have reviewed the relevant types of radioactive decay, we can identify which ones meet our criteria. 1. The type of radioactive decay that has the net effect of changing a neutron into a proton is Beta decay (β-), as seen in the equation: \(n \to p + e^{-} + \bar{\nu_e}\) 2. The types of radioactive decay that have the net effect of turning a proton into a neutron are Positron emission (β+) and Electron capture, as seen in the equations: \(p \to n + e^{+} + \nu_e\) (Positron emission) \(p + e^{-} \to n + \bar{\nu_e}\) (Electron capture)