Positron emission
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Radioactive decay processes
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Positron emission is a type of beta decay, referred to as "beta plus" (β+). In beta plus decay, a proton is converted to a neutron via the weak nuclear force and a beta plus particle (a positron) and a neutrino are emitted. Isotopes which emit positrons include Carbon-11, Nitrogen-13, Oxygen-15 and Fluorine-18; for example:
- <math>
{}^{11}\hbox{C}\;\to\;^{11}\hbox{B}\;+\;e^+\;+\;\nu_e. <math> These isotopes are used in positron emission tomography.
See also
Categories: Radioactivity