What happens during beta-plus (β+) decay in a nucleus?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. Proton number decreases by 1, mass number remains unchanged.
In beta-plus (β+) decay, also known as positron emission, a proton inside the nucleus is converted into a neutron, a positron, and a neutrino. Because a proton becomes a neutron, the atomic number (Z) decreases by 1, while the total number of nucleons (mass number, A) remains constant. This process occurs in proton-rich nuclei to achieve stability. The emitted positron is the antimatter counterpart of an electron, carrying a +1 charge.