Chapter 19, Problem 10A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The electron capture process has to be explained and the type of electron captured by the nucleus in this process has to be given.

Concept introduction: The process in which the electron from an inner orbital is absorbed into the nucleus of original isotope to form a new isotope is called as electron capture process.

The general equation is,

  $X+e\to Y$

Answer to Problem 10A

An unstable isotope when captures an electron of inner orbit, it is electron capture process. The electron which is captured generally comes from $1s$ or $2s$ orbital, since s-sub-shell is nearest to the nucleus.

Explanation of Solution

The process in which the electron from an inner orbital is absorbed into the nucleus of original isotope to form a new isotope is called as electron capture process.

The general equation is,

  $X+e\to Y$

Where,

• $A$ is the mass number.
• $Z$ is the atomic number.
• $X$ is the original isotope.
• $Y$ is the new isotope.

In electron capture process, a proton and electron are combined and produces a neutron along with emission of neutrino. The atomic number decreases from Z to Z-1 whereas the mass number remains same.

Conclusion

The electrons of inner orbital are captured by the nucleus in electron capture process.