Question

Tritium is an isotope of hydrogen whose nucleus triton contains neutrons and 1 proton. Free neutrons decay into $p+\bar{e}+\bar{n}$. If one of the neutrons is Triton decays, it would transform into He³ nucleus. This does not happen. This isbecause(a) Triton energy is less than that of a He³ nucleus(b) The electron created in the beta decay process cannot remain in the nucleus(c) both the neutrons in triton have to decay simultaneously resulting in a nucleus with 3 protons, which is not a He³ nucleus.(d) free neutrons decay due to external perturbations which is absent in triton nucleus.

Answer 1

Answer:

A) Triton energy is less than that of a He³ nucleus

Explanation:

Tritium also known as hydrogen-3 or H³ is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, The nucleus contains one proton and two neutrons. If one neutron decays then the nucleus may have two protons and one neutron. This means that tritium will transform into 2He3 with two protons and one neutron. However, such a case does not happen as the triton energy is less than that of 2He3 nucleus. This states that the transformation is not allowed energetically.

Thus the triton energy is less than that of a He³ nucleus