Question

A free neutron decays into a proton, an electron and _________.

Answer 1

Hint: In order to answer the above question, we will understand the question of radioactivity. We will learn about the different types of radioactive decay. We will discuss the beta decay and its types in detail. Finally, we will conclude our answer with the help of provided information.

Complete answer:
First of all, we will learn about radioactivity to understand why a neutron undergoes decay and what are the by-products after its decay.Radioactivity is the mechanism by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation. The substance with unstable nuclei is known to be radioactive. Nuclear reactions happen at random. Nuclear decay does not occur in all elements on timescales that we can detect. The decay of certain elements will take millions of years.

There are three types of nuclear reactions, each of which produces a different fast-moving particle from the nucleus. The following are the three forms of radioactive decay:
-Alpha Decay
-Beta Decay
-Gamma Decay
Here, we will be discussing the process of Beta Decay and will try to understand it. A proton is converted into a neutron or vice versa within the nucleus of a radioactive sample in beta decay. This and alpha decay allow the nucleus of a radioactive sample to get as close to the ideal neutron/proton ratio as possible. The nucleus produces a beta particle, which can be an electron or a positron, as a result of this process. Remember that a proton can become a neutron or a neutron can become a proton. To obey the law of charge conservation, electrons and positrons are formed. The weak interaction is responsible for beta decay.

Beta decay can be divided into two types:
-Beta minus $({{\beta }^{-}})$
-Beta plus $({{\beta }^{+}})$
Now, we will try and understand both of them in brief.
Beta Minus$({{\beta }^{-}})$:
-A neutron is converted into a proton in beta minus, increasing the atomic number of the atom. The neutron is a neutral particle, while the proton is a positive particle.
-In order to preserve charge conservation, the nucleus also releases an electron and an antineutrino.
-The antimatter equivalent of neutrino is antineutrino. Both of these particles are massless and neutral. They have a very weak interaction with matter and can travel through the entire earth without being disturbed.
-The transition in atomic configuration in a beta minus decay is;
${}_{Z}^{A}X\to {}_{Z+1}^{A}Y+{{e}^{-}}+\bar{v} \\
N=p+{{e}^{-}}+\bar{v} \\$
Beta Plus$({{\beta }^{+}})$:
-The proton disintegrates to yield a neutron in beta plus decay, lowering the atomic number of the radioactive sample. A proton is lost but a neutron is gained in the nucleus.
-Charge conservation is crucial once more. To comply with the conservation law, the beta plus decay produces a positron and a neutrino.
-A positron is the antimatter counterpart to an electron; they are identical in any way except for the fact that positrons have a positive charge.
-The behaviour of a Neutrino is identical to that of an antineutrino. It is, as expressed in the equation.
${}_{Z}^{A}X\to {}_{Z-1}^{A}Y+{{e}^{+}}+v \\
P=n+{{e}^{+}}+v \\ $
Therefore, the answer to our question can be given using the theory of Beta Minus decay $({{\beta }^{-}})$. Accordingly, a neutron undergoing a decay will convert into a proton, an electron and an antineutrino.

Note: It is very important to note here that the neutron undergoes a decay process only when there is a beta minus decay taking place. This process usually takes place naturally. But there are circumstances in which this kind of decay takes place when a neutron is bombarded with another particle with the help of an accelerometer or using a cyclotron.