What type of radiation is electron capture?

What type of radiation is electron capture?

Electron capture is a type of radioactive decay where the nucleus of an atom absorbs a K or L shell electron and converts a proton into a neutron. This process reduces the atomic number by 1 and emits gamma radiation or an x-ray and a neutrino.

Which nuclear reaction is an example of electron capture?

Electron capture is a comparatively minor decay mode caused by the weak force. The best-known example is of potassium 40 : 11% of the nuclei of that isotope of potassium present in our body decay by electronic capture. The electron’s capture trigger the emission of an invisible neutrino by the nucleus.

What is the nuclear equation for electron capture?

The electron capture equation is AZXN+e−→AZ−1YN+1+νe Z A X N + e − → Z − 1 A Y N + 1 + ν e .

What is electron capture used for?

Electron capture is the primary decay mode for isotopes with a relative superabundance of protons in the nucleus, but with insufficient energy difference between the isotope and its prospective daughter (the isobar with one less positive charge) for the nuclide to decay by emitting a positron.

What is electron capture example?

Electron capture is an example of weak interaction, one of the four fundamental forces. For example, rubidium-83 (37 protons, 46 neutrons) will decay to krypton-83 (36 protons, 47 neutrons) solely by electron capture (the energy difference, or decay energy, is about 0.9 MeV).

What happens to the electron in electron capture?

During electron capture, an electron in an atom’s inner shell is drawn into the nucleus where it combines with a proton, forming a neutron and a neutrino. The neutrino is ejected from the atom’s nucleus. Since an atom loses a proton during electron capture, it changes from one element to another.

What happens during an electron capture?

Electron capture is a mode of beta decay in which an electron – commonly from an inner (low-energy) orbital – is ‘captured’ by the atomic nucleus. The electron reacts with one of the nuclear protons, forming a neutron and producing a neutrino. The daughter nucleus may be in an excited state.