Proton-rich nuclei can undergo decay through which two mechanisms?

Proton-rich nuclei typically undergo decay through mechanisms that help them reach a more stable state by adjusting their proton-to-neutron ratio. The two primary mechanisms they use are electron capture and positron emission.

In electron capture, an electron from the innermost energy level is captured by a proton in the nucleus, converting that proton into a neutron and emitting a neutrino. This process decreases the number of protons and increases the number of neutrons, moving the nucleus closer to stability.

Positron emission, or beta plus decay, involves the conversion of a proton into a neutron, with the emission of a positron (the antimatter counterpart of an electron) and a neutrino. Similar to electron capture, this process reduces the number of protons and increases the number of neutrons, which is essential for proton-rich nuclei to achieve a more stable configuration.

Both mechanisms are characteristic of proton-rich isotopes in their quest to seek equilibrium in their nuclear composition, thereby explaining why these options are correct.