Question

Electron capture by (¹⁰⁶In).

a) (¹⁰⁶In) undergoes electron capture.
b) (¹⁰⁶In) undergoes βᵈecay.
c) (¹⁰⁶In) undergoes β⁺ decay.
d) (¹⁰⁶In) undergoes α decay.

Answer 1

Indium-106 can undergo electron capture, denoted as EC, where an inner electron is absorbed by the nucleus causing a proton to become a neutron and releasing an electron's neutrino. This leaves the mass number unchanged while decreasing the atomic number. ß+ decay has a similar effect, but ß- and α decays are not mentioned as options for ¹⁰⁶In.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking about the decay processes that could be undergone by indium-106 (¹⁰⁶In). Electron capture is one type of decay, where the nucleus captures an inner-shell electron, converting a proton into a neutron and emitting an electron's neutrino.

This process decreases the atomic number by one but leaves the mass number unchanged, moving the nucleus closer to the band of stability. ß+ decay, also known as positron emission, is similar in effect to electron capture; a proton in the nucleus is transformed into a neutron, a positron, and a neutrino.

The mass number remains constant while the atomic number decreases by one. ß- decay and α decay are not applicable to the decay of ¹⁰⁶In in the context given. Any nuclide that can undergo ß+ decay can also undergo electron capture, and the occurrence of each depends on factors like activation energy.