Beta decay occurs when an unstable nucleus emits a beta particle and energy. A beta particle is either an electron or a positron. An electron is a negatively charged particle, and a positron is a positively charged electron (or anti-electron).
When the beta particle is an electron, the decay is called beta-minus (β-) decay. In beta-minus decay, a neutron breaks down to a proton and an electron, and the electron is emitted from the nucleus.
When the beta particle is a positron, the decay is called beta-plus (β+) decay. In beta-plus decay, a proton breaks down to a neutron and a positron, and the positron is emitted from the nucleus.
Thus, beta-minus decay occurs when a nucleus has too many neutrons relative to protons (i.e., N/Z > 1) and beta-plus decay occurs when a nucleus has too few neutrons relative to protons (i.e., N/Z < 1).
By referring the stability belt of stable nuclides, nuclides with N/Z > 1 are to the left of the stability zone. Such nuclides are beta-minus emitters as they become stable when a neutron converts to a proton.
Nuclides with N/Z < 1 are to the right of the stability zone. Such nuclides are beta-plus emitters as they become stable when a proton converts to a neutron.
Nuclides with even number of protons (Z) and even number of neutrons (N) are most stable.
These nuclides tend to form proton-proton and neutron-neutron pairs.
This impart stability to the nucleus.
The nuclides with odd number of both protons and neutrons are the least stable because, odd number of protons and neutrons results in the presence of two unpaired nucleons.
These unpaired...
Isotopes :
\(_{17}^{38}Cl\) and \(_{17}^{35}Cl\)
Isobars :
\(_6^{14}C\) and \(_{7}^{14}N\)
Isotones :
i. \(_1^3H\) and \(_2^4He\)
ii. \(_{16}^{32}S\) and \(_{15}^{31}P\)