(April 21, 2012 at 11:54 pm)genkaus Wrote:(April 21, 2012 at 10:54 pm)Phil Wrote: Not at all. What was said (and I'll copy and paste from the OP) is that there is an uncaused cause that determines if an atomic nucleus undergoes type II or III beta decay.
Is something wrong with the syntax of that sentence? From your reply it seems that you think Type III is the default. The neutron to proton ratio being too small is the default. Type II or Type III happening is a spontaneous and uncaused event.
The confusion comes from your description of Type II an Type III decays. You said that in Type II the proton turns into a neutron and positron. And in Type III the nucleus captures an electron which turns a proton into a neutron.
That made it sound like Type II is the default and Type III occurs when the nucleus is bombarded with an electron or when an electron comes within the range of its nuclear forces. Perhaps you need to explain the "capture an electron" part a bit better.
How does that sound like type II is the default and how would you explain it?
