Electron Capture Definition

Electron capture is a type of radioactive decay where the nucleus of an atom absorbs a K or L shell electron and converts a proton into a neutron. This process reduces the atomic number by 1 and emits gamma radiation or an x-ray and a neutrino.
The decay scheme for electron capture is:
^ZX_A + e^- → ^ZY_A-1 + ν + γ
where
Z is the atomic mass
A is atomic number
X is the parent element
Y is daughter element
e^- is an electron
ν is a neutrino
γ is a gamma photon

Also Known As: EC, K-capture (if K shell electron is captured), L-capture (if L shell electron is captured)

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Beta Decay Definition

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Example

Nitrogen-13 decays to Carbon-13 by electron capture.
¹³N₇ + e^- → ¹³C₆ + ν + γ

History

Gian-Carlo Wick proposed the theory of electron capture in 1934. Luis Alvarez was the first to observe K-electron capture in the isotope vanadium-48. Alvarez reported his observation in Physical Review in 1937.