If the neutron-to-proton () ratio of a radioactive nucleus is too high, placing it above the zone of — Nuclear Chemistry and Radioactivity Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

A nucleus positioned above the stability belt has an excess of neutrons. To lower its $n/p$ ratio and enter the stability belt, a neutron decays into a proton and an electron. The electron is emitted from the nucleus as a $\beta^-$ -particle (${}_{0}^{1}n \rightarrow {}_{1}^{1}H + {}_{-1}^{0}e$).