Tritium is an isotope of hydrogen whose nucleus triton contains 2 neutrons and 1 proton . Free neutrons decay into `p+bar(e) +bar(n).` If one of the neutrons in Triton decays , it would transform into `He^(3)` nucleus. This does not happen. This is because

Options

A. Triton energy is less than that of a `He^(3)` nucleus
B. the electron created in the beta decay process can not 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 `He^(3)` nucleus
D. because free neutrons decay due to external perturbations which is absent in a triton nucleus

Answer

A

Explanation

Tritium `to ._(1)H^(3)`. The nucleus contains 1 proton and 2 neutrons. If one neutrons decays `ntop+e^(-)+barv`, the nucleus may have 2 protons and one neutron, i.e., tritium will transform into `._(2)He^(3)` (with 2 protons and one neutron). But this does not happen because triton energy is less than that of `._(2)He^(3)` nucleus , i.e., transformation is not allowed energetically. Choice (a) is correct.