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 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. Free neutrons decay due to external perturbations which absent in triton nucleus

Answer

A

Explanation

Tritium `(""_(1)H^(3))` contains 1 proton and 2 neutrons. A neutron decays as `n rarr P + vec(e) + vec(v)`, the nucleus may have 2 protons and one neutron, i.e., tritium will transform into `2He^(3)` (2 protons and 1 neutron). Triton energy is less than that of `2He^(3)` nucleus, i.e., transformation is not allowed energetically.