Question

Explain with an exampple, whether the neutron to proton ratio in a nucleus increases or decreases due to $\beta$-decay.

Answer 1

Neutron to proton ratio of an atom nucleus is the ratio of the number of neutrons to its number of protons. This ratio generally increases with increase in atomic number in a stable nuclei.

Beta decay decreases the ratio of neutron to proton

Eg: ${}_6^{14}C{\to }^{14}N+e+V_e$

It is clearly visible that the neutron - proton decreases.