Each of the following nuclei undergoes either beta decay or positron emission. Predict the type of emission for each: (a) tritium, 31H.

Key Concepts

Beta Decay

Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a nucleus emits a beta particle, which can be an electron (beta-minus decay) or a positron (beta-plus decay). In beta-minus decay, a neutron is converted into a proton, increasing the atomic number by one, while in beta-plus decay, a proton is converted into a neutron, decreasing the atomic number by one. This process helps unstable nuclei achieve a more stable configuration.

Positron Emission

Positron emission, also known as beta-plus decay, occurs when a proton in a nucleus is transformed into a neutron, resulting in the emission of a positron (the antimatter counterpart of an electron). This process decreases the atomic number of the element by one while keeping the mass number unchanged. Positron emission is common in isotopes that are proton-rich and seek stability.

Tritium

Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen with one proton and two neutrons, represented as 3H. It is unstable and undergoes beta decay to achieve stability. In the case of tritium, it emits a beta particle (electron) as it decays into helium-3, which has one less neutron, thus illustrating the process of beta-minus decay.