A nuclear decay is possible if the mass of the parent nucleus exceeds the total mass of the decay particles. If M(A, Z) denotes the mass of a single neutral atom of an element with mass number A and atomic number Z, then the minimal condition that the `beta` decay
`X_(Z)^(A) to Y_(Z + 1)^(A) + beta^(-) + bar(v)_e`
will occur is (`m_e` denotes the mass of the `beta` particle and the neutrino mass `m_v` can be neglected)

Options

A. `M(A , Z ) gt M (A, Z +1) + m_(e)`
B. `M(A,Z ) gt M(A,Z +1)`
C. `M(A,Z) gt M(A,Z +1) + Zm_e`
D. `M(A,Z) gt M(A,Z + 1) - m_(e)`

Answer

A