Question
In beta decay, an electron (or a positron) is emitted by a nucleus. Does the remaining atom get oppositely charged?
✓
Answer
In beta decay, a neutron from the nucleus is converted to a proton releasing an electron and an antineutrino or a proton is converted to a neutron releasing a positron and a neutrino.
$\beta^-\text{decay:}\text{ n}\rightarrow\text{p + e + }\vec{\text{v}}$
$\beta^+\text{decay:}\text{ p}\rightarrow\text{n + e}^+ + \text{v}$
Since the number of valence electrons present in the parent atom do not change, the remaining atom does not get oppositely charged. Instead, due to a change in the atomic number, there's a formation of a new element.
$\beta^-\text{decay:}\text{ n}\rightarrow\text{p + e + }\vec{\text{v}}$
$\beta^+\text{decay:}\text{ p}\rightarrow\text{n + e}^+ + \text{v}$
Since the number of valence electrons present in the parent atom do not change, the remaining atom does not get oppositely charged. Instead, due to a change in the atomic number, there's a formation of a new element.
Need a full question paper?
Generate a complete, print-ready paper with questions like this in minutes — across 16+ boards, with answer keys.
Explore more
Similar questions
What is electric dipole? Find and expression for electric potential at any point due to an electric dipole.
The energy of a silver atom with a vacancy in $K$ shell is $25.31keV,$ in L shell is $3.56keV$ and in $M$ shell is $0.530keV$ higher than the energy of the atom with no vacancy. Find the frequency of $\text{K}_\alpha\text{K}_\beta$ and $\text{L}_\alpha X-$ rays of silver.
→A paperweight in the form of a hemisphere of radius 3.0cm is used to hold down a printed page. An observer looks at the page vertically through the paperweight. At what height above the page will the printed letters near the centre appear to the observer?
Repeat the previous problem if the particle C is displaced through a distance x along the line AB.
A hollow sphere of radius $2\ cm$ is attached to an $18\ cm$ long thread to make a pendulum. Find the time period of oscillation of this pendulum. How does it differ from the time period calculated using the formula for a simple pendulum?
→A 1kg block is executing simple harmonic motion of amplitude 0.1m on a smooth horizontal surface under the restoring force of a spring of spring constant 100N/m. A block of mass 3kg is gently placed on it at the instant it passes through the mean position. Assuming that the two blocks move together, find the frequency and the amplitude of the motion.
It is now believed that protons and neutrons (which constitute nuclei of ordinary matter) are themselves built out of more elementary units called quarks. A proton and a neutron consist of three quarks each. Two types of quarks, the so called ‘up’ quark (denoted by u) of charge + (2/3) e, and the ‘down’ quark (denoted by d) of charge (–1/3) e, together with electrons build up ordinary matter. (Quarks of other types have also been found which give rise to different unusual varieties of matter.) Suggest a possible quark composition of a proton and neutron.
A hydrogen atom initially in the ground level absorbs a photon, which excites it to the $n = 4$ level. Determine the wavelength and frequency of photon.
→Convince yourself that parts (a), (b) and (c) of figure are identical. Find the capacitance between the points A and B of the assembly.
A box weighing 2000N is to be slowly slid through 20m on a straight track having friction coefficient 0.2 with the box.
→- Find the work done by the person pulling the box with a chain at an angle $\theta $ with the horizontal.
- Find the work when the person has chosen a value of $\theta $ which ensures him the minimum magnitude of the force.