Which type of decay results in a nucleus losing a proton?

The correct answer is the type of decay known as positron (B+) decay. In positron decay, a proton in the nucleus is transformed into a neutron, emitting a positron and a neutrino in the process. This results in the loss of a proton from the nucleus, which decreases the atomic number of the element by one, effectively changing it into a different element.

Understanding positron decay is crucial in nuclear physics as it explains how certain unstable isotopes transform into more stable forms by adjusting their proton-neutron ratio. This process is part of a broader range of decay mechanisms and is essential for explaining the behavior of elements under radioactive decay.

The other decay types do not involve the loss of a proton in the same manner. Alpha decay involves the emission of an alpha particle, which contains two protons and two neutrons, effectively reducing both the atomic number and mass number of the element. Beta-minus decay involves the conversion of a neutron into a proton, resulting in an increase in the atomic number, rather than a loss of protons. Neutron decay does not typically represent a standard decay process, as neutrons either participate in other decay processes or are involved in stable configurations within the nucleus.

By focusing on the processes of each decay