In Beta+ decay, what occurs to the proton?

In Beta+ decay, a proton in the nucleus of an atom is converted into a neutron. This transformation is a key characteristic of this type of decay. When a proton changes into a neutron, a positron (the antimatter counterpart of an electron) is emitted from the nucleus. This process decreases the atomic number of the atom by one but leaves the mass number unchanged since a proton is replaced by a neutron.

In this decay process, the overall stability of the nucleus is improved, as elements that undergo Beta+ decay often do so in situations where they are proton-rich and need to transform some of their protons to neutrons to reach a more energetically favorable state. The emitted positron can interact with electrons in the vicinity, typically resulting in their annihilation and the production of gamma rays.

Understanding the mechanism of Beta+ decay is essential for comprehending nuclear stability and the processes that govern radioactive decay in elements, particularly those in the context of medical applications like positron emission tomography (PET) scans.