Answer Happy

Nickel-59 (Ni) is radioactive and spontaneously decays to give cobalt-59 (Co) through two different pathways - electron capture and positron emission. For these processes, which of the following is correct? This question is asking about the beta decay reaction of the nucleus only. Do not consider any subsequent reaction of a beta particle. O A. Energy will be emitted during electron capture (i.e., it is an exergonic process), but will be absorbed in positron emission (i.e., it is an endergonic process). O B. Energy will be emitted during positron emission (i.e., it is an exergonic process), but will be absorbed in electron capture (i.e., it is an endergonic process). O C. Energy will be emitted by both processes (i.e., both processes are exergonic). More energy will be emitted by positron emission than by electron capture. D. Energy will be emitted by both processes (i.e., both processes are exergonic). More energy will be emitted by electron capture than by positron emission. O E. Energy will be emitted by both processes (i.e., both processes are exergonic). The same amount of energy will be given off by both processes.