Concept:
Positron emission (\(\beta^+\) decay) is a type of radioactive decay in which a proton inside the nucleus is converted into a neutron, a positron (\(e^+\)), and a neutrino (\(\nu\)):
\[
p \rightarrow n + e^+ + \nu
\]
Step 1: Effect on proton and neutron numbers.
• Number of protons (\(Z\)) decreases by 1
• Number of neutrons (\(N\)) increases by 1
• Mass number (\(A = N + Z\)) remains constant
Step 2: Effect on \(n/p\) ratio.
Initial \(n/p\) ratio = \(\frac{N}{Z}\). After decay:
\[
n' = N + 1,\quad p' = Z - 1
\]
\[
\frac{n'}{p'} = \frac{N+1}{Z-1}>\frac{N}{Z}
\]
The \(n/p\) ratio increases because the number of neutrons increases while the number of protons decreases.
Step 3: Conclusion.
During positron decay, the \(n/p\) ratio increases.