Answer :
When tin-126 undergoes electron capture, it involves the process where an electron is captured by the nucleus. This results in the conversion of a proton into a neutron.
Key points to remember:
1. Electron Capture: This process decreases the atomic number by 1 because one proton is converted into a neutron, but it does not affect the mass number.
2. Mass Number: The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom. Since a neutron and a proton have almost the same mass, the mass number remains unchanged during electron capture.
So, for tin-126:
- Initial Mass Number: 126
- Final Mass Number: 126
Therefore, the mass number of the product of this decay is 126.
Key points to remember:
1. Electron Capture: This process decreases the atomic number by 1 because one proton is converted into a neutron, but it does not affect the mass number.
2. Mass Number: The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom. Since a neutron and a proton have almost the same mass, the mass number remains unchanged during electron capture.
So, for tin-126:
- Initial Mass Number: 126
- Final Mass Number: 126
Therefore, the mass number of the product of this decay is 126.
