Charge Balance of Atom in Nuclear Positron Emisson
Most recent answer: 08/09/2018
Q:
When an atom undergoes positron decay, a proton is turned into a neutron and both a positron and an electron neutrino are emitted. But what happens to the overall charge of the atom? Since it loses a positive charge in form of the positron, does it also lose an electron to balance the charges?
- Julian Modanese (age 17)
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Julian Modanese (age 17)
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
A:
Hi Julian,
Your intuition is correct. Eventually, the atom will shuck off an electron due to charge imbalance.
LeeH
(published on 08/09/2018)