In `beta-` decay `n//p` ratio` :`

Options

A. Remain unchanged
B. Decreases
C. Increases
D. May increase or decrease

Answer

To solve the question regarding the neutron-to-proton (n/p) ratio during beta decay, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Beta Decay**:
- Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay where a neutron in the nucleus is transformed into a proton, and a beta particle (an electron) is emitted.

2. **Identify Changes in Neutrons and Protons**:
- In beta decay, one neutron is converted into one proton. Therefore, the number of neutrons decreases by 1, and the number of protons increases by 1.

3. **Express the Neutron-to-Proton Ratio**:
- The neutron-to-proton (n/p) ratio can be expressed as:
\[ \text{n/p ratio} = \frac{\text{Number of Neutrons (N)}}{\text{Number of Protons (P)}} \]

4. **Calculate the Change in the n/p Ratio**:
- Before beta decay, let’s denote the number of neutrons as \( N \) and the number of protons as \( P \).
- After beta decay, the new number of neutrons will be \( N - 1 \) and the new number of protons will be \( P + 1 \).

5. **New n/p Ratio After Beta Decay**:
- The new n/p ratio after beta decay becomes:
\[ \text{New n/p ratio} = \frac{N - 1}{P + 1} \]

6. **Compare the Old and New Ratios**:
- To determine if the n/p ratio has increased, decreased, or remained unchanged, we can analyze the two ratios:
- Original ratio: \( \frac{N}{P} \)
- New ratio: \( \frac{N - 1}{P + 1} \)

7. **Conclusion**:
- Since the numerator (N) decreases by 1 and the denominator (P) increases by 1, the overall n/p ratio decreases. Therefore, we conclude that during beta decay, the n/p ratio decreases.

### Final Answer:
The n/p ratio in beta decay decreases.