Which of the following is true regarding a positron emission

Question

A)increases the number of protons

B)increases the number of electrons

C)increases the number of neutrons

D)does not affect the nucleus of the atoms

Answer 1

In positron emission, a proton is converted to a neutron, with release of a positron and a neutrino.  The correct answer is (C).  Consider the example below.

 

₁₂Mg²³ → ₁₁Na²³ + e⁺ + ν

 

₁₁Na²³ has one less proton than ₁₂Mg²³, and it has one more neutron than ₁₂Mg²³, since the mass number is the same.