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A nuclear reaction given by ^A_ZX → ^A_Z+1Y + ⁰₋₁e + u represents

Asked in CBSE AIPMT 2003 · Q-value, decay and conservation laws

Answer: (3) β-decay

Step-by-step solution

Read the two balances off the equation.

Mass number: A on the left and A on the right, so no nucleons leave.

Atomic number: it rises from Z to Z+1, while an electron ⁰₋₁e and an antineutrino are emitted.

A neutron inside the nucleus has turned into a proton, creating the electron at that instant.

That is β-decay, specifically β⁻ decay.

Why the other options are wrong

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