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. tritium energy is less than that of a `He^(3)` nucleus.
B. the electron created in the beta decay process cannot 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 `(""_(1)^(3)H)` has 1 proton and 2 neutrons.
If a neutron decays as,
` to p+overline(e)+v`
then necleus will have 2 protons, I.e. triton atom converts in `""_(2)He^(3)` (2 proton and 1 neutron). Binding energy of `""_(1)H^(3)` is much smaller that `""_(2)He^(3)`, so transformation is not possible energetically.