Electron capture equation

Definition

An electron capture equation represents a nuclear reaction where an inner orbital electron is captured by the nucleus, leading to the conversion of a proton into a neutron and emission of a neutrino.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Electron capture decreases the atomic number by one while keeping the mass number constant.
2. It commonly occurs in proton-rich nuclei where positron emission is energetically not feasible.
3. The process results in the emission of an electron neutrino ($\nu_e$).
4. The captured electron usually comes from the K-shell (1s orbital) of the atom.
5. The resulting element after electron capture is often in an excited state and may emit gamma radiation to reach its ground state.

Review Questions

• What happens to the atomic and mass numbers during electron capture?
• Why does electron capture typically involve electrons from the K-shell?
• What particle is emitted as a result of electron capture?

Related terms

Positron Emission: A type of beta decay in which a proton is converted into a neutron, releasing a positron ($e^+$) and an electron neutrino ($\nu_e$).

$\gamma$ Radiation: High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from atomic nuclei during radioactive decay or other nuclear processes.

$\beta^-$ Decay: $\beta^-$ decay involves the transformation of a neutron into a proton, with the emission of an electron ($e^-$) and an antineutrino ($\bar{\nu}_e$).