Physics · Nuclei
Tritium is an isotope of hydrogen whose nucleus (triton) contains 2 neutrons and 1 proton. Free neutrons decay into p + e− + ν. If one of the neutrons in a triton decays, it would transform into a 3He nucleus. However, this spontaneous decay does not happen inside the nucleus because:
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- 1free neutrons decay due to external perturbations which are absent inside a triton nucleus.
- 2both neutrons in a triton must decay simultaneously, resulting in a nucleus with 3 protons.
- 3the electron created in the beta decay process cannot reside inside the nucleus.
- 4the binding energy of a triton is greater than that of a 3He nucleus (rest mass energy of triton is less than that of 3He).✓
Correct answer
the binding energy of a triton is greater than that of a 3He nucleus (rest mass energy of triton is less than that of 3He).
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