ELECTRON CAPTURE Meaning and
Definition
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Electron capture is a nuclear process that occurs when an atomic nucleus captures one of its own electrons, leading to a rearrangement of its atomic structure. It is a type of radioactive decay in which a proton-rich nucleus absorbs an inner atomic electron, usually from the electron cloud surrounding the nucleus. As a result, the atomic number decreases by one, converting a proton into a neutron within the nucleus.
In electron capture, an electron from one of the atom's electron shells is drawn into the nucleus by the attractive force between the positive charge of the nucleus and the negative charge of the electron. This causes a transmutation of the nucleus, resulting in the emission of a neutrino and a corresponding gamma-ray photon to maintain energy conservation.
This decay process occurs in isotopes where the ratio of protons to neutrons is relatively high, making the nucleus energetically unstable. Electron capture can stabilize the nucleus by decreasing the number of protons, allowing it to reach a more balanced and lower energy state.
Electron capture is commonly observed in radionuclides with a low neutron-to-proton ratio, such as potassium-40, calcium-47, and iodine-123. It is an important phenomenon in nuclear physics and has significant implications in energy production, nuclear medicine, and astrophysics.
Common Misspellings for ELECTRON CAPTURE
- wlectron capture
- slectron capture
- dlectron capture
- rlectron capture
- 4lectron capture
- 3lectron capture
- ekectron capture
- epectron capture
- eoectron capture
- elwctron capture
- elsctron capture
- eldctron capture
- elrctron capture
- el4ctron capture
- el3ctron capture
- elextron capture
- elevtron capture
- eleftron capture
- eledtron capture
- elecrron capture
Etymology of ELECTRON CAPTURE
The word "electron capture" is composed of two parts: "electron" referring to a subatomic particle with a negative charge, and "capture" suggesting the act of seizing or trapping something.
The etymology of "electron" can be traced back to the ancient Greek word "ēlektron", meaning amber. This is because the ancient Greeks observed that amber, when rubbed with fur, could attract lightweight objects like feathers. In the 19th century, scientists started using the term "electron" to describe the subatomic particle associated with electricity and charge.
The term "capture" has its roots in Latin. It derives from the Latin word "captura", meaning the act of seizing or taking hold of something. Over time, "capture" became integrated into the English language to convey the idea of apprehending or catching something.
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