- #1
Chem.Stud.
- 27
- 2
Hi:
I am taking a radiochemistry class, and I am confused by beta plus decay.
(1) p --> n + positron + electron-neutrino
The mass of a proton is less than the mass of a neutron. In addition, the neutrino has mass as does the positron.
(2) E = mc2
There must be come sort of balance, must there not? Mass cannot be created unless energy is consumed. So where does the nuclei get the energy from to convert a single proton into three different particles, one of which has a larger mass than the proton itself?
I hope I have made my confusion understandable. Also, my macbook would not let me use the greek characters or sub- and superscript.
Anders
I am taking a radiochemistry class, and I am confused by beta plus decay.
(1) p --> n + positron + electron-neutrino
The mass of a proton is less than the mass of a neutron. In addition, the neutrino has mass as does the positron.
(2) E = mc2
There must be come sort of balance, must there not? Mass cannot be created unless energy is consumed. So where does the nuclei get the energy from to convert a single proton into three different particles, one of which has a larger mass than the proton itself?
I hope I have made my confusion understandable. Also, my macbook would not let me use the greek characters or sub- and superscript.
Anders