How do you write positron decay?

1 Answer
Andy Wolff
Feb 9, 2017

It is just like beta decay but with a positive ("_(+1)^( 0) beta ) particle.

Explanation:

In positron decay we are losing a positive charge from the nucleus. That means the atomic number will go down by one.

For example, "_12^23 Mg decays by positron decay to "_11^23 Na:

"_12^23Mg rarr "_1^0 beta + "_11^23 Na + "_0^0 nu

Note that the charge on the beta particle is 1, not -1. You can also write the equation using the symbol for an positive;y charged electron:

"_12^23Mg rarr "_1^0 e + "_11^23 Na + "_0^0 nu

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